News DeskDubai, UAE – The Gulf Inclusive Cricket Board (GICB) has officially launched at the prestigious AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai, marking a historic moment for disability sports in the Gulf region. The GICB was unveiled by former UAE Cricket Team captain CP Rizwan, along with the organization’s Founder Ghazal Khan and Co-founder Sayed Shah Aziz, as they aim to redefine inclusivity in sports by creating opportunities for differently-abled athletes.
The launch, held at the World Trade Center in Dubai, represents a bold step toward promoting cricket for differently-abled individuals and fostering a more inclusive sporting environment across the Gulf. GICB will collaborate with both local and international organizations to drive awareness and support for disability cricket, while also creating employment opportunities for differently-abled individuals through various initiatives, including merchandise sales and inclusive restaurant ventures.
Ghazal Khan, a long-time advocate for the differently-abled community, expressed her enthusiasm at the event: “The launch of GICB is a dream come true, not just for me but for all differently-abled athletes in the region. We aim to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their physical limitations. This is just the beginning.”
Khan, who previously organized the first-ever International Disability Cricket League, known as the Divyang Premier League T-20, at Sharjah International Stadium in 2021, is no stranger to groundbreaking events in the field. That league featured over 100 specially-abled cricketers competing across eight franchise teams and was hailed as a massive success.
The GICB’s involvement in the AccessAbilities Expo, a premier event dedicated to showcasing innovations in accessibility, underscores the important role sports can play in empowering individuals with disabilities. The organization aims to provide a platform for personal growth, community engagement, and professional development through cricket.
As part of its future plans, GICB will host cricket tournaments for differently-abled athletes across the Gulf, drawing players from various countries to compete. This initiative is expected to have a long-lasting impact on the region’s disability sports landscape, opening new doors for athletes to pursue their passion and achieve professional success.
The GICB launch is poised to reshape the narrative surrounding disability sports in the Gulf, promoting inclusivity and creating new opportunities for athletes to showcase their talent on the global stage.
