DCCI reaches landmark with 2600 registrations for Differently Abled cricketers

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) set up a Differently-Abled Cricket Committee through the Differently-Abled Cricket Council in India (DCCI) to streamline and simplify the registration of differently-abled players. The registration started a week ago, and until now, 2,600 players have been registered.

The DCCI also stated that they are collecting data of support staff who have experience with Differently abled cricketers to ensure that the needs of the differently-abled players are met with utmost professionalism. 

The DCCI is taking a top-down approach to streamline the registration process. Players will first be registered, then divided state-wise. A state-wise players list will then be made and sent to the respective state associations, and further selection processes will occur according to the state associations.

"This data will allow us to plan our activities efficiently." States the DCCI

While states like Punjab, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Tripura already have Differently-abled committees. 

The Board of Cricket Control in India only recently took the Differently-Abled Cricket Council in India under its wing. However, the change was brought forward by the newly appointed BCCI secretary Jay Shah. 

The previously differently-abled players were connected to multiple differently abled bodies and lacked structure, and the localised bodies wanted to be recognised. 

"Much of the time was spent to bring all of them under one umbrella body, understand their concerns and ensure their proper representation." – Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary, said to Hindustan Times.

When asked about what the BCCI plans for differently-abled cricket, Shah affirmed that the body will be recognised, and its decisions and selection processes will be made transparent so that the differently-abled players can get the best out of the committee. 

Now that the DCCI is formally recognised and under the wing of the BCCI, their fixtures and matches will be recognised and scheduled by the BCCI. The BCCI is currently working on a framework and will present it soon.

Secretary General of DCCI and member of BCCI's committee for Differently-abled Ravi Kant Chauhan, while talking about the problems faced by the DCCI, said, "Right now, there are many organisations claiming themselves to represent the country without any consent of the BCCI."

It can be perceived that the BCCI is giving due and deserved attention to the differently-abled cricketers and recognising their needs. 

The proactive establishment of the Differently-Abled Cricket Committee was a much needed first step to engender a bright future for Differently-Abled cricket.