Gurugram | May 7, 2025: Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) today announced the second edition of Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket – an International Bilateral Blind Men’s Cricket Series under its corporate initiative – Samarth by Hyundai. The event is organized in partnership with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Cricket Association for the Blind in India to raise awareness and enable people with disabilities in India.

The international bilateral cricket series exemplifies Hyundai’s vision of building a more inclusive society. It not only offers a platform for international exposure but also marks a critical step in fostering physical and social development among visually impaired youth across India.

Commenting on the second edition of Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket, Mr. Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head – Corporate Affairs, Corporate Communication & Social, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “At Hyundai Motor India, we are committed to the holistic growth of India and aspire to build a more empathetic society through our social initiatives. In India, the love for cricket knows no bounds. It is more than just a sport; it is an emotion. Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket is a part of our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and empowerment through sports. The second edition of Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket will give the athletes a platform to showcase their talent while encouraging many more with their unbreakable spirit. We truly believe mobility and opportunity should be for everyone, and are honored to be a part of this movement. We wish each player the best and look forward to witnessing their talent unfold, both on and off the field.”

Speaking on the announcement, the Chairman of CABI and Founding Trustee for Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, Dr. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said, “There’s a poetic resonance in the names – Samarth and Samarthanam, both rooted in the idea of strength and capability. This partnership goes beyond cricket; it’s about building a world where ability triumphs over disability. With Hyundai’s Samarth initiative joining hands with Samarthanam’s long-standing vision, this championship emerges not just as a tournament, but as a global tribute to the spirit of inclusion, excellence, and possibility.”

Commenting on the new season of bilateral cricket series, Captain of India Men’s Blind Cricket Team, Mr. Durga Rao Tompaki said, “Facing a world-class team like South Africa gives our players especially the newcomers, a rare chance to grow, compete, and prove their caliber. Backed by Hyundai, CABI, and Samarthanam, we’re ready to make every match count.”

In the first edition of Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket, the Indian Men’s Blind Cricket team emerged as winners against Sri Lanka Men’s Blind Cricket team. The second edition will feature the India Men’s Blind Cricket Team facing the South Africa Men’s Blind Cricket Team, scheduled to take place at Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium, Muddenahalli, Bengaluru between May 12-17, 2025.

About Samarth Initiative:

Launched in November 2023, ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative aims to enable an inclusive and progressive world through the power of mobility. Through this initiative, Hyundai aims to help create a more aware and sensitized society towards people with disabilities in India. With ‘Samarth’, Hyundai Motor India Limited is India’s first automobile company to launch an inclusive mobility project at a mass scale. With a comprehensive effort, Hyundai under this initiative has ensured that its website is user-friendly for people with disabilities. The Company has made majority of its dealerships wheelchair accessible for entry and exit. Additionally, Hyundai has launched 4 Swivel Seat accessories with MOBIS India Limited in an attempt to enhance the accessibility of Hyundai cars.  Further, the company is working with various media partners to create large scale awareness about challenges People with disabilities face, and how we can all come together and create an inclusive world.

HMIF Partnership with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled:

Under the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited, partnered with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled to support Persons with Disabilities with Assistive devices. Under the partnership, HMIF & Samarthanam Trust have also created a Programme to utilize blind cricket as a platform in pursuit of physical and social development of the visually impaired in India. Through this partnership, HMIF is supporting visually impaired cricketers by organizing various training camps for grassroot and national level visually impaired cricketers. The program is also organizing an international bilateral series (Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket) for national blind cricket team, giving them a bigger platform to showcase their talent.

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Gurugram, March 04, 2024: Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) today announced an International Bilateral Blind Men’s Cricket Series under its corporate initiative – Samarth by Hyundai. The event is organized under Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of HMIL. This is an effort to raise awareness and enable people with disabilities. The cricket series is being organized by HMIF’s NGO partner, ‘Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled’, in collaboration with the ‘Cricket Association for the Blind in India.’ The 5-match series will feature the Indian Men’s Blind Cricket Team facing off against the Sri Lankan Men’s Blind Cricket Team. The matches are scheduled to take place at Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi from the 11th to the 15th of March 2024. 

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head, Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India Limited, said, “Guided by our global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ HMIL launched the Samarth initiative in November 2023. The aim of this initiative is to create awareness, enablement, and a more inclusive society for people with disabilities. Under the aegis of Hyundai’s ‘Creating Shared Values’ (CSV) direction of ‘Continue’, HMIF has partnered with ‘Samarthnam Trust for the Disabled’ to support visually impaired cricketers. Cricket in India transcends mere sport; it is a cultural cornerstone that unites us. Therefore, we have chosen Blind Cricket to further strengthen and promote equality in society for people with disabilities. We are delighted to announce the inaugural International Bilateral Blind Men’s Cricket Series between India and Sri Lanka. At Hyundai Motor India, we are committed to the holistic growth of India and aspire to build a more empathetic society through our social initiatives, focusing on the pillars of ‘Earth,’ ‘Mobility,’ and ‘Hope.’ We eagerly anticipate an entertaining series and look forward to witness some exceptional performances on the field.”

Speaking on the exciting joint initiative, the chairman of CABI, Dr. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said, “We are honored to partner with Hyundai Motor India to organize an International Bilateral Blind Men’s Cricket Series under its ‘Samarth’ initiative in Delhi. This is an important step to provide much needed opportunities to our players. We are very happy to have this collaboration which would promote cricket for the blind.  We did well in the recent cricket series in Dubai by winning the series and the team will do better in the upcoming tournament.”
Commenting on the bilateral cricket series, captain of Indian men’s blind cricket team, Mr. Durga Rao Tompaki said, “This is what all our players have been dreaming to have multiple cricket tournaments with the best teams in the world. We had a successful series at Dubai and we won the series comfortably after many setbacks.  Win against Pakistan has brought more positive energy to outperform in the coming days. These matches will help us to prepare for the 4th T20 World Cup which will be held this year in November. I would like to Thank Hyundai Motor India, Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled for constantly providing us the opportunity to play for the country.”

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