Inclusive cricket match held on international day of persons with disabilities
To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organised "Empathy on Wheels," a unique cricket match to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The game was held at Dhanmondi Dhaka.
The event featured the Bangladesh Wheelchair Cricket Team, led by Mohammad Mohasin, playing alongside Bangladesh National Team Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, former Bangladesh National Cricket Team players Shahriar Nafees, Javed Omar Bemil, Salma Khatun, and Hannan Sarkar, who also played seated on wheelchairs, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and resilience.
UNDP Bangladesh's Resident Representative, Stefan Liller, was also present at the event. Stefan Liller said, "UNDP is committed to ensuring no one is left behind by integrating disability inclusion into all areas of our work. We empower persons with disabilities, prioritise their involvement in development and crisis response, and work toward an inclusive and resilient future for all,".
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This unique event will help raise awareness of mainstreaming disability inclusion. Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto said, "Thank you to UNDP for taking such an initiative. I was amazed by the wheelchair cricketers' skills and passion for the game. Playing from a wheelchair, I realised how they overcame physical limitations and moved forward. We should all support them from our respective positions."
Also present at the event were Michael Miller, the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh; Anna Peterson, First Secretary (Political) at the Australian High Commission; and Asha Behe, Acting Information Officer at the U.S. Embassy. They all played cricket from wheelchairs, showing solidarity with this initiative. The match aims to highlight the rights of persons with disabilities and emphasise the importance of creating an inclusive society that celebrates abilities and ensures equal opportunities.
