|
Despite India's impressive showing in the Women's
World Cup where they reached the finals against
eventual champions Australia, women's cricket in
India continues to suffer from a lack of exposure
and respect it so richly deserves. With funds and
sponsorships being a perennial problem, there is
little by way of infrastructure to give an impetus
to the game in the country.
These views were expressed and discussed at a
recently concluded meeting between officials
representing India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in
Lahore. The consensus was that women's cricket
elsewhere on the sub-continent also faced the same
problems, and there was plenty of room for
improvisation at the grassroot level. Shubhangi
Kulkarni, the Asian ICC representative and
Secretary of the Women's Cricket Association of
India (WCAI), called for the creation of a proper
'cricket' structure wherein women had the
opportunity to participate at the club or
university levels, and in doing so, enhance their
skills and experience.
Pakistan are scheduled to host the inaugural Asia
Cup for Women from the 26th of December to the 4th
of January. The programme was chalked out in the
course of the two-day meet, with Bangladesh yet to
confirm their participation. Although Pakistan,
along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, failed to even
qualify for the World Cup, the event is aimed at
boosting interest levels for the sport and attract
sponsors.
India's performance in the World Cup has brought
the issue of women's cricket to the fore, in that
while emulating their male counterparts in the 2003
World Cup, the girls made it to the final without
any fanfare or hype, and with far lesser funds and
resources at their disposal. Dr. Mira Phailbus,
President of the Pakistani Women's Cricket
Association, has a similar vision for her country.
Gwen Herat, president of the Women's Cricket
Association of Sri Lanka (WCASL), also stated that
the expansion of women's cricket in Asia was the
direct responsibility of the respective national
boards that promote men's cricket. Sri Lanka are
hoping to capture the eye of sponsors like Singer
who have supported men's cricket over the years,
and try and strengthen the sport at the club level.
Shamsa Hashmi, Secretary of the Pakistan Cricket
Board Women's section declared that it was a great
honour for Pakistan to be the first host of the
Asia Cup, and claimed that the event will
definitely raise the standard of cricket in Asia.
Every individual involved in the endeavour will
hope that the tournament will generate a lot of
interest and achieve its ultimate objective of
gaining in popularity, not only among the public,
but also among sponsors. The ladies, who at the
moment are playing purely for national pride,
deserve a better deal.
|