For the Alabama Tamil Sangam, cricket is more than a sport. The organization views it as a way to bring people together, build community and give back to Alabama.
That spirit was on display during ATS Hundred Cricfest ’26, the Alabama Tamil Sangam’s annual three-day cricket festival, which brought together men and women from across Alabama who originate from countries across Southeast Asia. This year’s theme was “Batting for Disability.”
Following the Cricfest event, Alabama Tamil Sangam donated $750 to the UAB SHP Research Collaborative to support health and wellness opportunities for people with disabilities. The donation will support the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD), including mobility devices for participants.
Founded in 2011, Alabama Tamil Sangam is a Birmingham-area charitable and cultural nonprofit organization. The organization brings together people who share an interest in the Tamil language and the food and cultural heritage of southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
Each year, ATS uses its cricket festival to promote a cause connected to the broader community. Previous years’ events have focused on causes such as breast cancer awareness and honoring local heroes from the Hoover Fire Department. This year, the organization chose disability.
“At ATS, we aspire to be inclusive, partner with other organizations, bring people together and make an effort to give back to Alabama,” said Vinitha Ganesan, ATS treasurer and an employee in the UAB School of Health Professions dean’s office.
The connection between cricket and accessibility was particularly meaningful. Cricket is popular throughout Southeast Asia and serves as a common language for the diverse group of participants at Cricfest. This year, ATS also introduced a cricket tournament for children, 6 years and above.
“We hope for this partnership with UAB-SHP Research Collaborative on this occasion will help begin the conversation around developing adaptive cricket for disabled individuals to participate in,” Ganesan said.
The event also featured Bob Lujano, Paralympian and NCHPAD expert information specialist, as its keynote speaker. Lujano’s achievements and perseverance left an impression on ATS members.
Lujano said the experience was just as meaningful for him, giving him closer exposure to cricket while sharing his own perspective on adaptive sport and recreation.
“My experience with Cricfest ’26 was unforgettable,” Lujano said. “It was truly my honor to attend this event, not to mention being asked to speak.” He said he enjoyed learning how cricket is played and scored, as well as experiencing Indian culture through dancing and traditional music. He also appreciated the opportunity to interact with attendees.
Lujano said he was particularly moved that disability access was the focus of this year’s event and that donations would support opportunities for people with disabilities.
“It reinforces the message that people with disabilities should have opportunities to be fully engaged in community efforts,” he said. “Cricfest ’26 is a perfect example of how all people with disabilities should fully participate in all aspects of life, including health, recreation and community engagement.”
“We truly had a blessed time having Bob Lujano as our chief guest,” said Baskar Raj, ATS president. “His achievements, determination and perseverance were an inspiration to all of us. We are truly honored by his presence.”
Kumaran AE, ATS secretary, said Lujano’s talk helped attendees think about health and personal responsibility, while the organization also taught Lujano about a growing sport in the U.S.
“Cricket is a major international sport with a global following, second only to soccer,” Kumaran said. “We are happy to bring it to Alabama each year, and it was great to hear from Bob as the chief guest at our Cricfest this year and his speech on personal responsibility with our own health.”
The collaboration also provided an opportunity for ATS’s youth volunteers to learn more about disability health and the academic programs in SHP as well as NCHPAD’s community work. The high school students assisted with the donation drive during the festival, gaining firsthand experience in community service and fundraising.
For ATS, the $750 donation represents more than financial support. It reflects the organization’s broader goal of using its cultural and sporting events to create connections and contribute to the communities where its members live.
Through its support of NCHPAD and the SHP Research Collaborative, ATS aims to help make physical activity and recreation more accessible while opening the door to new conversations about adaptive sports.
As cricket continues to bring Alabama’s diverse communities together, ATS hopes that spirit of inclusion can extend to people of all abilities.
If your organization is interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support disability health research and community programs, please reach out to NCHPAD@uab.edu or CEDHARS@uab.edu.
