Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Srinagar is hosting the 9th National Deaf Men’s T20 Cricket Championship 2026, bringing together deaf cricketers from across the country and giving them a national-level platform to showcase their skills. The tournament is being played from September 28 to October 4 at Bakshi Stadium and the TRC Ground in the city.
The championship began with an opening ceremony at Bakshi Stadium, where the Secretary of the J&K Sports Council congratulated the participating athletes and stressed the importance of creating equal and inclusive opportunities in sport. Sport belongs to everyone, the Secretary said, and sporting platforms play a vital role in building confidence, encouraging participation and fostering excellence and inclusion among athletes.
The event carries particular meaning for Jammu and Kashmir, where the conversation around inclusive sport has gained ground in recent years. A national tournament for deaf cricketers, staged at two of the Valley’s best-known grounds, places athletes with hearing impairments squarely within the mainstream of the region’s sporting calendar. It also gives young players in the Union Territory the chance to watch and learn from peers who have reached the national stage.
The successful conduct of the championship reflects the continued efforts of the J&K Sports Council to promote competitive and inclusive sport, to support national-level events, and to make optimal use of the sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir so that athletes have access to quality facilities and platforms.
The participation of teams and athletes from different parts of the country also underlines Srinagar’s growing stature as a host of national sporting competitions. In recent years the city has welcomed a range of tournaments, and each one adds to the case that the Valley can deliver professional, well-run events. The championship further shows how sport can bring together athletes from diverse regions and backgrounds, while advancing the values of equality, sportsmanship and national unity.
For the cricketers, the tournament offers an opportunity to compete at a high level over a week of T20 cricket, a format that rewards skill, awareness and quick decision-making. For the host region, it is a chance to display its readiness to stage major sporting events in a professional and inclusive environment. With play continuing until October 4, the championship is expected to remain a significant fixture in Srinagar’s sporting calendar this season.
