India Awarded Hosting Rights for 3rd Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup

India has secured the hosting rights for the 3rd Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup, with the continental tournament set to be held at a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates. The Divyang Cricket Control Board of India received the rights from the International Council of Wheelchair Cricket after the hosting arrangement was reconsidered.

Pakistan had initially been awarded the hosting rights, but India’s non-participation in that proposed arrangement prompted further discussion. The issue was considered at an International Council of Wheelchair Cricket meeting on October 18, 2026, where members agreed to award the rights to India while staging the competition outside both India and Pakistan.

The UAE was subsequently considered the neutral venue for the tournament. The decision is intended to support the participation of all eligible teams and provide a neutral playing environment for the championship.

UAE selected as neutral venue for continental event

The 3rd Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup is expected to feature teams from India, Afghanistan, the UAE, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It will offer wheelchair cricketers from across the region an international platform to represent their nations and showcase their skills.

Although India holds the hosting rights, the event will not be played in India. The same applies to Pakistan, following the decision to move the tournament to a neutral location. The UAE will therefore host the competition as the designated venue for the continental championship.

The revised arrangement followed discussions among International Council of Wheelchair Cricket members. India’s hosting rights were awarded with the consent of the members, according to the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India.

The tournament is the third edition of the Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup and is expected to bring together six Asian teams. Its proposed line-up includes the host-rights holder India, the UAE as neutral-venue team, and Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

For wheelchair cricket, the event represents a significant regional opportunity. The championship is designed to give participating players international exposure while highlighting the growth of the sport and the achievements of athletes with physical disabilities.

DCCBI seeks support for tournament organisation

DCCBI leadership welcomed the decision, describing it as an encouraging development for the growth, recognition and wider expansion of wheelchair cricket. The board said an international championship of this scale can strengthen sporting ties among the participating nations and promote inclusion through sport.

The board also highlighted the role the competition can play in creating greater recognition for wheelchair cricketers. Wheelchair cricket is played across India with strong interest, and the Asia Cup is expected to add a further international dimension to the sport’s development.

Following receipt of the official communication, DCCBI appealed to the Government of India, corporate brands, CSR partners, sponsors, investors and sports stakeholders for support in organising the tournament in the UAE. The board said collective financial, logistical and institutional support will be required to deliver an event of this scale.

Such backing, DCCBI stated, could help provide wheelchair cricketers with professional facilities, international exposure and the recognition they deserve. The board also positioned wheelchair cricket as a movement that promotes equality, dignity, confidence and opportunity for people with physical disabilities.

With India now holding the hosting rights and the UAE identified as the neutral venue, the focus will turn to the organisation of the 3rd Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup and support for the participating teams. DCCBI expressed confidence that support from government, corporate and sporting stakeholders could make the tournament a landmark event for wheelchair cricket across Asia.