‘Freedom to Excel’: Vedic Village Spa Resort, Foundation to Summit host inclusive cricket initiative in Kolkata

The programme brought together blind and differently abled cricketers from West Bengal, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent while highlighting the need for greater inclusion, visibility and opportunities in sports.

The initiative went beyond being a sporting event and delivered a powerful message: disability should never be a barrier to ambition, participation or excellence.

As part of the programme, players from the West Bengal Cricket Association for Differently Abled (WBCADA) played against the Vedic Village Spa Resort team in a seven-over match. Both teams comprised five men and two women players.

The highlight of the programme was the blind cricket exhibition match.

Two teams from the Cricket Association for the Blind in Bengal (CABB) were formed, with each team comprising five men and two women players. The teams competed against each other in a special exhibition match.

Rajib Roy Choudhury, Associate Vice President, Vedic Village Spa Resort, said, “At Vedic Village Spa Resort, we believe true independence is measured by inclusion. For 20 years, our promise has been ‘Freedom in Nature, Freedom to Indulge’. With ‘Freedom to Excel’, we fulfil our DEI commitment and extend that promise to the field. It is a tribute to the grit, talent and resilience of our specially abled sportspersons. We believe that when we create equal opportunities, we create them in life as well. This Independence Day, we celebrate a nation where everyone has the freedom to dream and the freedom to excel.”

Mousumi Kar, Director, Programmes, Foundation to Summit, said, “Sport has the power to transform confidence and create a sense of belonging. Our work is to ensure that persons with disabilities have the opportunity, support and ecosystem they need to discover their potential. Freedom to Excel is one step towards building a more inclusive sporting culture.”

The programme was supported by Rotary Club of Calcutta South City, Nicco Park, Indian Plastics Federation, Holiday Hub, R Ginodia & Co., RG Cellulars and Urban Golf.

Sumit Agarwal, DEI Advisor to Fortune 500 companies and SDG Ambassador, was the Guest of Honour. He emphasised the need to improve systems to make workplaces more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities.

At the closing ceremony, Kakali Kar, Trustee, Foundation to Summit, joined Sanjeet Singh, President; Joydip Sur, Vice President; and Abhijeet Mukherjee, Director Projects, of Rotary Club of Calcutta South City to felicitate the blind and differently abled cricket players.

Sanghita Chatterjee, Head of Corporate Communications, and Akshay Agarwal, Executive Committee Member, representing the Indian Plastics Federation, along with Anish Dasgupta, VP Operations, Chandni Travel Group, also supported the event.

Ahead of the programme, Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Chairman, Cricket Association for Blind in India (CABI), shared a special video message congratulating the organisers and players.

“I am happy to know that blind cricketers and physically challenged cricketers will come together for exhibition cricket matches as part of the celebration. This is a wonderful initiative to promote inclusion, equality and sports for persons with disabilities. I wish all the players and organisers a very successful event,” he said.

He also highlighted the upcoming Inter-State Women’s Blind Cricket Tournament, scheduled to be held in Kolkata on October 27 and 28, 2026, featuring teams from Bihar, Assam and West Bengal.

“Women’s blind cricket needs more opportunities and encouragement. I am sure this tournament will give our women cricketers a good platform to showcase their talent and inspire many others,” he added.