Bengaluru: IIFL Home Finance has partnered with Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled to strengthen and promote Cricket for the Blind in India, creating greater opportunities for visually impaired athletes and advancing inclusivity in sports.
As part of the collaboration, the organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to organise the India–Nepal Bilateral Blind Cricket Series, featuring five T20 matches scheduled to be held in the Delhi-NCR region in October 2026.
India–Nepal series to provide international exposure
The bilateral series is expected to provide visually impaired cricketers with a competitive international platform while raising awareness about blind cricket and encouraging wider participation in the sport.
The initiative aims to showcase the talent, determination, and resilience of visually impaired athletes from both India and Nepal, while creating greater engagement among sports enthusiasts, disability rights advocates, and the broader community.
Organisers believe the tournament will play a significant role in enhancing the visibility of blind cricket and promoting equal opportunities in sports.
Partnership aligned with inclusive growth
The collaboration aligns with IIFL Home Finance’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and creating opportunities for underserved communities.
Through the initiative, the company seeks to contribute towards building a stronger and more inclusive sporting ecosystem that empowers visually impaired athletes and supports their long-term development.
Speaking about the partnership, Ms. Aarti Marwaha, Chief Human Resources Officer of IIFL Home Finance, said the organisation believes in creating opportunities that foster inclusion, confidence, and sustainable community impact.
She noted that sports have the power to inspire, empower, and drive meaningful social change, and described the partnership as a reflection of the company’s ongoing commitment to inclusive community development.
Blind cricket empowers visually impaired athletes
Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, highlighted the transformative role of blind cricket in empowering persons with visual impairment.
He stated that the sport provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork, confidence-building, and professional growth while helping athletes overcome social barriers and gain recognition at national and international levels.
Dr. Kivadasannavar expressed gratitude to IIFL Home Finance for supporting the development of blind cricket and contributing to the growth of the sport.
Promoting inclusion through sport
Over the years, blind cricket has emerged as an important platform for promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for visually impaired individuals to excel in competitive sports.
Through structured training programmes, domestic tournaments, and international competitions, visually impaired cricketers have demonstrated exceptional talent and achieved significant success on the global stage.
The upcoming India–Nepal Bilateral Blind Cricket Series is expected to further strengthen these efforts by providing athletes with valuable exposure and competitive experience.
The initiative also reinforces IIFL Home Finance’s focus on community-driven corporate social responsibility programmes that create meaningful social impact while promoting equality, inclusion, and empowerment across the country.
