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IDCA announces maiden T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai
Mumbai: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is organising the first T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League in Mumbai from 8 to 11 January 2024.In its inaugural edition, six specially-abled women’s teams from different parts of the country will compete on the field to clinch the coveted Premier League trophy.
IDCA president Sumit Jain commented, “We are grateful to Serum Institute of India, Cyrus Poonawalla Group, Nykaa & Indo Count for their wholehearted support to our movement of supporting hearing impaired Women players in our forthcoming tournaments in 2024. IDCA is proud of our women players, these are athletes despite their commitment to their home & families have brought immense pride to society & have excelled in the field of Cricket.”
The four-day tournament will kick off with a special opening ceremony organised on Monday, January 8 at 9 AM at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra. In this four-day tournament, six Deaf women’s cricket teams – Punjab Lions, UP. Warriorz, Mumbai Stars, Delhi Bulls, Hyderabad Eagles and Bangalore Badshahs – will play a total of 11 matches before making it to the finals.
The two best teams will face each other in the final match scheduled for 11 January 2024.
Serum Institute of India founder chairman, and IDCA T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League Support partner Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla said, “We are delighted & committed to extend our support for the first T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League 2024. It will help to motivate the specially-abled youth of the country to dream big and strive hard to achieve their dreams as nothing is impossible. We are looking forward to a long partnership with the brand.”
The winning team and the players will be felicitated for their exceptional performance at the closing ceremony to be held on 11 January at 4 PM. The IDCA T-10 champions will receive a prize of Rs 1, 00,000, while the runner-up will get Rs 50,000. The best individual sportsmen in categories such as batting, bowling, fielding, super sixes will receive cash awards.
Supporting the tournament, Nykaa Foundation said, “IDCA T-10 Women’s Deaf Premier League is an exceptional platform for specially-abled women players to showcase their incredible talent. This initiative will help raise awareness among specially-abled players across the country to pursue their passion and aim for the stars in the world of sports. Additionally, it will foster a sense of empowerment and inclusivity within the sports community. We are excited to support IDCA once again in this initiative and look forward to the upcoming tournament.”
IDCA CEO Roma Balwani added, “The excitement of playing in Mumbai & competing in the home ground of stalwarts of cricket is truly special. IDCA believes in celebrating diversity & inclusion through disability sports, especially cricket. We thank all our support partners, state associations, for their belief in our endeavor to promote deaf cricket both in India & Internationally. We salute each woman player for their grit & resilience to prove their sportsmanship on the cricket field besides being homemakers. Best wishes to all these amazing women participating in specially-abled sports.”
Corporate partners, KFC India, Hero MotoCorp, Indo Count, CoLearn and Kaizzen are supporting IDCA for the upcoming tournament.
Watch the tournament live on YouTube channel, IDCA.TV.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
