1st Women's T20 Cricket World Cup for the Blind 2025
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ABOUT SAMARTHANAM
- A Non-Profit Organisation established in 1997
- CRISIL-rated organization for financial transparency
- 7 diverse initiatives supporting the lives of many people
- 28 years of uninterrupted service to the society
- Team of 700 + employees: 34% with disability
- Touched the lives of over 500,000 beneficiaries since inception
- 3 times National Award winner ( President’s Award)
- Special UN Consultative Status since 2015 under ECOSOC
- Operating in 18 cities across India, with physical offices
- Volunteer base of 10,000 +
- 200+ corporate entities collaborate under CSR
- Registered Offices in the US (Boston) & UK
- 501C3 Status-a registered charity in the US
INITIATIVES
- EDUCATION-100,000+ children educated
- SKILLING CENTRES-18 skilling centres, 25,671 trained, 67% placed
- ARTS&CULTURE-125 artists, 3,000 performances
- SPORTS/ CRICKET FOR THE BLIND – 30 State/UT Cricket Boards, 30,000 blind cricketers, management of Indian Blind Cricket
- ENVIRONMENT-7 lakh tonnes of dry waste processed
- REHABILITATION-5,000+ women empowered
- HEALTH AND NUTRITION – 7500 students served with healthy meals everyday
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CRICKET FOR THE BLIND
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Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunities
India is home to 7.8 million visually impaired individuals, making up 20% of the world’s 39 million blind population. Cricket for the Blind is more than just a sport—it’s a movement empowering visually impaired athletes to showcase their talent and resilience.
Adapted from mainstream cricket with modifications to suit visually impaired players, the game transcends disability, proving that vision is not a prerequisite for excellence. It fosters sportsmanship, confidence, and self-sufficiency, while providing a global platform for inclusion.
Beyond the field, cricket for the blind is a catalyst for change, breaking societal barriers and offering players the chance to engage with diverse communities, inspire millions, and redefine possibilities. -
ABOUT CABI
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI} is the apex body that organizes and conducts cricket for the blind across India and is affiliated to World Blind Cricket (WBC}. CABI is the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled which governs cricket for the blind in India.
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ACHIEVEMENTS OF BLIND CRICKET
• 1st World Cup Cricket 2012
• India-Australia series 2014
• 4th ODI World Cup 2014
• India-England Series 2015
• T-20 Asia Cup 2016
• 2nd T20 World Cup Cricket 2017
• 5th ODI World Cup 2018
• India vs Sri Lanka Bilateral Series 2018
• India-England-Sri Lanka Bilateral Series 2018
• Bilateral Series at Jamaica 2019
• India vs Bangladesh Bilateral Series 2021
• India won the 3rd T20 World Cup 2022
• IBSA World Games Men – Silver
• IBSA World Games Womens – Gold
• India vs Nepal Womens Bilateral Series 2024 -
1st WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2025
The T20 Cricket for the Blind Women’s World Cup is a pioneering initiative that champions inclusivity, empowerment, and sporting excellence. With six countries participating, this prestigious tournament provides a global platform for visually impaired women cricketers to showcase their talent, determination, and resilience. For the first time ever, India takes pride in hosting this historic World Cup, reinforcing its leadership in blind women’s cricket. Samarthanam and CABI invite corporate partners to collaborate in making this event a grand success while aligning with a noble cause.
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WHY SUPPORT BLIND CRICKET
“Sport for the blind is a rightful pursuit, providing a platform for physical and social development. Cricket is more than a religion in India, and supporting the passion of visually impaired players strengthens their inherent sportsmanship. The game instills discipline, teamwork, fitness, strategic planning, and competitiveness, focusing on skills rather than disabilities. Ultimately, blind cricket helps visually impaired individuals integrate into the mainstream and creates employment opportunities?”
CRICKET A POSITIVE TRANSFORMATIVE TOOL FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
+ STATEMENT OF NEED: Training blind men and women in cricket with the objective of empowerment through sports, building confidence, and nurturing leadership skills—thus paving the way for social inclusion. The training will also motivate them to pursue education, livelihood training, and employment opportunities.
+ RESPONSE OF THE ORGANIZATION: The concept of blind cricket, introduced by Samarthanam, was well received by visually impaired youth across India. The positive response from the ecosystem at national and international levels brought together multiple stakeholders, ensuring the program’s sustainability. Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled facilitated the formation of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the apex body overseeing and organizing blind cricket in the country. CABI is affiliated with World Blind Cricket (WBC).
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
• Gender Disparities in Sport— Women’s cricket, though growing, still faces challenges such as limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and fewer professional opportunities.
• Social Impact of Cricket — Beyond competition, cricket fosters teamwork, leadership, and resilience, playing a crucial role in women’s empowerment.
• Current Gaps— Insufficient grassroots programs, lack of funding for female coaches, limited exposure for women’s leagues, and inadequate accessible facilities remain key challenges.
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SOCIAL IMPACT
For years, blind cricket has empowered men. Now, introducing blind women’s cricket marks a major step toward gender equality in sports, ensuring visually impaired women get the same platform to compete, excel, and inspire.
• Breaking Barriers- Challenges gender biases and provides a safe, inclusive space for leadership, confidence, and self-discovery.
• Social Inclusion & Empowerment – Helps women overcome fear and societal restrictions, gain recognition, respect, and financial independence, and become role models for future generations.
• Expanding Opportunities – Bridges the funding, infrastructure, and visibility gap, unlocking education, employment, and global sports participation.
• Shaping the Future – Inspires young girls with disabilities, shifts mind-sets about talent and potential, and drives investment in training, facilities, and grassroots programs.
This is just the beginning-blind women’s cricket will redefine inclusion, create opportunities, and build a legacy of excellence.
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BUDGET
| Nature of Expenditures | Total |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | 1,13,40,000 |
| Refreshents at Ground | 27,00,000 |
| Match Fee Charges -Match Officials | 9,00,000 |
| Travel Flight Charges | 46,00,000 |
| Local Transportation for Teams | 12,00,000 |
| Local Transportation for pre/ post event | 15,00,000 |
| Uniform & Cricketing Gear for Indian team along with Match Officials | 15,00,000 |
| Prize Money | 25,00,000 |
| Trophies/Mementos | 8,15,000 |
| Branding & Printing | 50,00,000 |
| Promotions | 1,00,00,000 |
| Pre Tournament Events | 30,00,000 |
| Opening and Closing Ceremony | 50,00,000 |
| Organising Team for the Arrangement | 24,00,000 |
| Ground Rent | 7,20,000 |
| Medical & First Aid Insurance | 10,00,000 |
| Miscellaneous Charges | 54,17,500 |
| 5% Implementation cost | 29,79,625 |
| Total – 6,25,72,125 | |
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Why Partner with Women’s World Cup?
Global Brand Exposure
The tournament attracts millions of viewers worldwide, offering unparalleled brand visibility across digital, print, and television platforms.
CSR Impact
Supporting women’s sports aligns with CSR goals focused on diversity, inclusion, and community empowerment.
Engaging New Audiences
Women’s sports fans represent a growing and engaged demographic with strong brand loyalty.
Employee Engagement
Sponsorship packages can include exclusive experiences, tickets, and brand activations that boost employee morale and participation.
Exclusive Marketing Opportunities
Sponsoring the event enables access to premium advertising, branding, and in-event promotions.
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SPONSORSHIP
| Type of Sponsor | Title sponsor | Co sponsor | Associate Sponsor | Supporting Sponsor | Partner Sponsor | Sponsor the Final Match | Sponsor a Semi Final Match | Sponsor a League Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No of Sponsors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 |
| Sponsorship | 3,00,00,000 | 2,00,00,000 | 1,00,00,000 | 75,00,000 | 50,00,000 | 25,00,000 | 15,00,000 | 10,00,000 |
| Event named after sponsor | Yes | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Branding on Memento | Yes | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Indian Team T-Shirt Branding | Logo on Front | Logo on sleeve | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Branding on Entrance Arch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Promotion on Website/ Live Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hoardings/Backdrop | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brochures, flyers and Certificates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Print and electronic media | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | – | – | – |
| Press Meet | Yes | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Representative on Stage | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stage Backdrop | Yes | – | – | – | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advertisements in souvenirs | Full page | Full page | Full page | Half page | Half page | Half page | Half page | Half page |
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BRAND AMBASSADORS
FOR THE INDIAN NATIONAL WOMEN’S BLIND CRICKET TEAM
Harmanpreet Kaur
Women’s Nationals 2023-25
Smriti Mandhana
1st Women’s Nationals 2019
Rajeshwari Gayakwad
2nd Women’s Nationals 2022
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PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
INDIA
NEPAL
AUSTRALIA
USA
ENGLAND
PAKISTAN
10th to 30th November, 2025
DATE
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COUNTRIES
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MATCHES
DELHI, KATHMANDU(NEPAL), BENGALURU
CITIES
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AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
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APPRECIATIONS
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Alignment with SDG, RPwD and Schedule VII of the CSR Policy
The preamble to the SDG document, para 37 mandates: Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development. We recognize the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of Young people individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.
Schedule VII and rule-3. clause X. of (CSR) policy (rules) 2021 mandates the corporate agencies to invest their CSR funds on promoting rural sports, specific sporting activities, nationally recognised sporting activities and para Olympic sporting activities including disability specific sporting activities for persons with disabilities. Cricket for the blind is one of the para Olympic or disability specific sporting activities thus it qualifies for CSR funding.
Chapter V. Section-30 “Sports, recreation and leisure” of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016) (RPD Act-2016) of India mandates the appropriate government at all levels to ensure persons with disabilities shall have full and effective participation in sporting activities on an equal basis with others.
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Brand Ambassadors for the T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind
SOURAV GANGULY
1st T20 World Cup 2012
RAHUL DRAVID
2nd T20 World Cup 2017
YUVRAJ SINGH
3rd T20 World Cup 2022
Star Cricketers Endorse Blind Cricket
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Success Stories- Cricket Dreams: Stories of Hard Work
Phula Saren
- Phula Saren learned lessons about Blind cricket from the School for the Blind, Balasore, Odisha. Initially being a girl child she was hesitant but Mr Pyary Mohan, the teacher of the school identified her talents and motivated her to practice blind cricket. To date this passionate cricketer has completed many district-level matches, also she has been part of all three editions of the Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind held in 2019, 2022 and 2023 and Phu la contributed a lot in the 2-time victories of Odisha team. Under her captaincy, the Odisha team had a winning performance in the 3rd Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind held in Bangalore in January 2023. Selection to the first-ever Indian Blind Women’s Cricket team and active contributions in the first Women’s Bilateral T20 Cricket Series for the Blind held in Nepal, during April 2023 are additions to her achievements.
- She learned about Samarthanam during her coaching camp organized by Samarthanam in Bhopal, till now the extent of support and guidance provided by Samarthanam and the CABI team are remarkable; young Phu la is thankful to all for their
guidance and support during her cricketing journey. Adding to this, she recently played for India in the IBSA World Game, where she showed her talent and commitment. Even though the competition was tough with teams from other countries, her team’s determination and skills made them stand out. They won convincingly and got the gold medal, which made India proud. Their effort and teamwork were impressive and will be remembered as an important moment in Indian sports history.
Deepika
- Deepika belongs to the Tumkur District of,Karnataka, her family consist of a father, a mother and 2 brothers. Agriculture is the sole source of income for her family. Deepika is the eldest child in the family. Though she was born as a normal child an accident that happened at a young age ended her life in blindness. When she was 5 months old young Deepika scratched her eyes with her nails resulting in impairment. Up to 4th Standard Deepika did her schooling in a normal school, she completed her 5-7 thstandard from a blind school in Kunigal, later she joined Ranga Rao Memorial School for the Differently Abled and completed her 8-10th standard. At present, she is pursuing her BA final year at the Government First Grade College, Vijayanagar. Samarthanam is taking care of her educational expenditure. Deepika is the backbone of the Karnataka blind women's cricket team, she is a B3 category player. Since 2019 she is playing for the Karnataka team. Her cricketing journey started during her school days, school days also provided her with lots of opportunities to compete in different types of tournaments and matches. Deepika’s team won the runners-up trophy in the
3rd edition of the Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2023, held in Bangalore, also titled with the Player of the Match award in one of the matches. Bhopal selection trials, for the selection of the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket team, provided her with a wonderful learning experience; she feels so proud that she could be a valuable member of the country's first-ever Indian Blind Women's Cricket Team. Young Deepika got an opportunity to represent India in the Women’s Bilateral T20 Cricket Series for the Blind held in Nepal in 2023. Deepika’s favourite cricketer is Virat Kohli and she wishes to become an IAS officer. Apart from Cricket, she is good at athletics and football, also she is a good singer. In the 2022 Nationals held in Odisha Deepika won 2 nd place in the 100-meter athletics and long jump too. She can speak Kannada, Telugu and English. - She recently represented India in the challenging IBSA world game, displaying talent and dedication. Despite tough competition from other countries, her team's determination and skill stood out leading to a convincing victory and the coveted gold medal. Their hard work and teamwork made the nation proud and marked a significant moment in Indian sports history. She is grateful to Samarthanam and its team for their relentless support and guidance. Presently Deepika TC is working at the office of the, chief commissioner of income tax Mumbai as multitasking staff (Level 1). She is also the captain Karnataka women’s Cricket team of the Blind.
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Sushma Patel: A Journey of Resilience and Triumph
Hailing from Bundelkhand, a rural village where girls are often denied education and married off early, 21-year-old Sushma Patel defied the odds. Born into a poor agricultural family, her parents stood against societal norms, ensuring all their daughters received an education. Their unwavering support became the foundation of Sushma’s remarkable journey.
At the age of six, a tragic accident left her blind in one eye, and now, her vision in the other is also deteriorating. Yet, she refused to let adversity define her. With relentless determination, she excelled in sports, winning numerous accolades in cricket and athletics. Her breakthrough came in 2022, when she attended a coaching camp organized by Samarthanam in Madhya Pradesh, paving the way for her cricketing dreams.
Sushma’s rise in blind cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. She shone at the 2023 Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind, bagging Player of the Series, highest run-scorer in the B3 category, and multiple Player of the Match titles. She then made history by leading the first-ever Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team in the Women’s Bilateral T20 Series in Nepal. Her journey reached a pinnacle at the IBSA World Games, where she played a crucial role in securing a gold medal for India.
Balancing her cricketing aspirations with her goal of becoming a teacher, Sushma continues to push boundaries, proving that resilience, passion, and hard work can overcome any challenge. With the support of Samarthanam and CABI, Sushma’s journey stands as an inspiration-a testament to the power of determination and the belief that no dream is beyond reach.
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Tournament Query
Dhiraj Sequeira
Lead of Sports Initiatives
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
Mob:+919900330078
Email: sports@samarthanam.org
Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar
Founder Chairman, Samarthanam International
Chairman, Cricket Association for the Blind in India
Mob:+919480809595
Email: mahantesh@samarthanam.org
Sponsorship & Branding Query
Kumaraswamy CR
Head – Corporate Partnership & CSR
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
Mob:+919449864775
Email: kumar@samarthanam.org