From the 21st to the 23rd of March 2025, Johannesburg witnessed a landmark moment in blind cricket as the City of Johannesburg and DP World Lions hosted the first-ever Club T20 Blind Cricket Tournament. This event wasn’t just about competition—it was a powerful statement on inclusivity, resilience, and the growing recognition of blind cricket in South Africa.
The tournament fittingly began on Human Rights Day (March 21st), reinforcing the message that accessibility and equal opportunities in sports matter. Three dedicated teams competed in this historic event:
Unprecedented Support from the City of Johannesburg
One of the tournament’s greatest highlights was the City of Johannesburg’s outstanding support. The city went above and beyond, sponsoring water, energy drinks, and food—a massive contribution considering the financial constraints in blind cricket, where provincial teams often play without basic resources like ice to cool their tap water.
But the support went beyond funding. City employees attended the tournament every day, showing unwavering respect and enthusiasm for the players and their dedication to the sport. On the final day, even more officials arrived to celebrate the event, culminating in the MEC for Community Development personally presenting prizes and closing the tournament.
The trophies provided by the City of Johannesburg were nothing short of stunning—recognizing excellence with awards for:
Showcasing Future Stars
Beyond crowning Kings of Jozi as champions once again, this tournament was a remarkable stage for the rising stars of the DP World Lions Blind Cricket Team—the provincial team that all these clubs fall under. Seeing the talent and dedication from emerging players was a testament to the bright future of blind cricket in South Africa.
This tournament was about far more than winning—it was about breaking barriers, proving ability beyond limitation, and setting the stage for greater investment in blind cricket and adaptive sports.
Looking Ahead
ProAccess remains committed to advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment, and supporting events like this is key to fostering equal opportunities in sports. The Club T20 Blind Cricket Tournament was a groundbreaking step forward, one that will inspire further recognition, investment, and growth in the space.
Here’s to more tournaments, more victories, and more inclusivity in sport! 🏏💙
#BlindCricket #AccessibilityInSport #ProAccess #JoziCricket
With accessibility and inclusion at heart,