Ahead of India’s historic match at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, where India’s national team of differently abled cricketers is set to participate for the first time. The upcoming match on this iconic pitch marks a historic moment for disability sport in India and draws attention to the need for accessible infrastructure across global sporting arenas. Sminu Jindal, founder-chairperson of Svayam, addressed an international audience on Wednesday at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Speaking at the venue, Jindal highlighted the importance of embedding accessibility into India’s sporting future. “We are supporting efforts to standardise design features across sports facilities, from signage and entry points to movement-friendly pathways. These measures are already being aligned with the country’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics,” she said.
As founder-chairperson of Svayam, an organisation working across sectors to improve access for persons with reduced mobility, Jindal used the occasion to emphasise the wide impact of inclusive planning. She cited tourism, employment and grassroots participation as areas that benefit directly when barriers are removed.