Greater Noida is hosting the 5th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2026, placing wheelchair cricket and inclusive sport in the spotlight at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.
The opening ceremony was held on May 2, while tournament matches are scheduled from May 3 to May 10, 2026. The championship brings together top wheelchair cricket teams from across India in a “Super 5” finale format.
For Greater Noida, the event is more than a sports fixture. It is a national-stage moment for para-sport, athlete visibility, and the wider conversation around access, dignity and support for athletes with disabilities.
Quick Summary
- The 5th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2026 is being held in Greater Noida.
- Matches are scheduled from May 3 to May 10 at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.
- The tournament features five teams: Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, Karnataka and Haryana.
- The event is organised by Wheelchair Cricket India Association under the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India.
- Actor Jackie Shroff attended the opening ceremony as chief guest.
A National Stage for Wheelchair Cricket
The championship is being organised by the Wheelchair Cricket India Association, which functions under the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India.
This year’s final leg is being played in a “Super 5” format. According to available event details, five teams have qualified for this stage from a larger national pool of participating teams.
The teams competing in Greater Noida are:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh
- Mumbai
- Karnataka
- Haryana
The tournament gives wheelchair cricketers a competitive platform while also bringing wider public attention to para-sport in India.
For many readers, wheelchair cricket may not yet have the same visibility as mainstream cricket. But for the players, organisers and supporters, such championships are important because they create recognition, competitive pathways and a stronger case for institutional and sponsor support.
Why Greater Noida Matters in This Story
Greater Noida has increasingly become a venue for large events, sports competitions and institutional gatherings. Hosting the National Wheelchair Cricket Championship adds another layer to that role.
The event is being held at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, one of the region’s major sports venues. For local residents, it is also a reminder that sports infrastructure matters not only for elite cricket or school-level tournaments, but also for inclusive and accessible sporting events.
A championship like this gives Greater Noida a chance to support athletes who are often underrepresented in mainstream sports coverage. It also allows local audiences to engage with para-sport not as charity, but as competitive sport.
That distinction is important.
Wheelchair cricket is not a symbolic activity. It is a serious sporting format that requires skill, endurance, teamwork and tactical awareness. The athletes competing in Greater Noida are part of a growing para-sports ecosystem that needs visibility, regular competition and long-term backing.
Jackie Shroff Opens the Championship
Actor and Padma Shri awardee Jackie Shroff attended the opening ceremony as chief guest.
The opening ceremony included the formal inauguration of the championship, trophy unveiling and player interaction. Media reports also noted that Shroff encouraged greater support and sponsorship for para-sports.
While his presence brought celebrity attention to the event, the larger story remains the athletes and the platform being created for wheelchair cricket.
For para-sports in India, such public attention can help in three ways: bringing more spectators, encouraging sponsors, and making local institutions more aware of accessibility needs in sport.
More Than a Tournament
The championship should be seen as more than an eight-day sports event.
It is part of a larger movement to make sport more inclusive for athletes with disabilities. Events like these help challenge narrow ideas of who gets to play, who gets to compete and who gets public recognition.
For Noida and Greater Noida, this also raises a practical question: can the region become a stronger host for inclusive sporting events?
That would require accessible venues, better local promotion, transport support, sponsorship interest and consistent media coverage. The presence of a national wheelchair cricket championship in Greater Noida shows what is possible when organisers, athletes and venues come together.
For residents, the simplest starting point is attention. Watching, sharing, attending and recognising these athletes as competitive sportspersons can help build the visibility that para-sport needs.
Match Dates and Venue Details
Event: 5th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2026
Venue: Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, Greater Noida
Opening Ceremony: May 2, 2026
Tournament Dates: May 3 to May 10, 2026
Match Timings: Reported as 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM onwards daily
Format: Super 5 finale
Participating Teams: Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, Karnataka and Haryana
Organiser: Wheelchair Cricket India Association, under the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India
Residents planning to attend should check the organiser’s latest updates for match schedules, entry details and any venue-specific instructions.
Why This Championship Deserves Attention
Greater Noida often makes headlines for infrastructure, real estate, expressways and large investments. This event brings a different kind of progress into focus.
It is about visibility for athletes.
It is about access to competitive sport.
It is about giving wheelchair cricket a proper public stage.
It is also about how a growing city chooses to support inclusion.
The National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2026 is not just happening in Greater Noida. It is asking the region to pay attention to a part of Indian sport that deserves more recognition.
Sources and References
- Wheelchair Cricket India Association (WCIA): Official website (
https://wcia.tv) and official social media updates detailing the tournament format and participating teams. - The News Mill: “Jackie Shroff opens 5th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2026 in Greater Noida” (May 2, 2026), detailing the event venue, dates, and significance of the “Super 5” format.
- Cricketnmore / IANS: “National Wheelchair Cricket C’ship 2026 Kicks Off In Greater Noida” (May 3, 2026), confirming the opening ceremony events and Jackie Shroff’s attendance.
- ANI (via The Tribune): “Jackie Shroff declares 5th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2026 open in Greater Noida” (May 2, 2026), regarding the tournament’s goal to celebrate resilience and promote inclusive sports.
- WCIA Official YouTube Stream: “LIVE | Super 5 Opening Ceremony 2026 5th National Wheelchair Cricket Championship” (May 1, 2026), confirming the venue at Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex and the May 2 opening ceremony.
Follow Wheelchair Cricket India Association
Residents who want to follow match updates, event photos and future wheelchair cricket activities can check the official WCIA handles:
- Facebook: Wheelchair Cricket India Association on Facebook
- X: WCIA on X
- Instagram: WCIA on Instagram
- LinkedIn: WCIA on LinkedIn
