Team India batter and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana has emphasized the need to encourage women to take up sports beyond cricket. Mandhana shared her thoughts at the launch of the Sports-Forward Nation report in Bengaluru, calling for greater representation of women across various sporting disciplines.
Women’s sports in India are currently experiencing unprecedented growth. The launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) a couple of years ago marked a significant milestone, while the recently concluded inaugural edition of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) showcased the potential of other sports. Additionally, women athletes played a pivotal role in India’s success at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Manu Bhaker clinched two bronze medals in shooting at the Olympics, and 10 of India’s 29 Paralympic medallists were women.
For Smriti Mandhana, who led RCB to their maiden WPL title last year, cricket has been a platform to inspire millions. However, she believes there is immense potential for women to excel in sports beyond cricket.
“To see India as a Sports-Forward Nation would mean a lot to all of us sportspersons, and it is all about the journey to becoming a sporting powerhouse,” Mandhana said. “Domestic cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and now the Women’s Premier League (WPL) are excellent examples of how cricket has benefitted from a robust system. It’s time we replicate this success in other sports.”
Mandhana expressed hope that more young girls would be inspired to take up sports like football, hockey, boxing, and athletics. “It would be inspiring to witness more women breaking barriers in diverse disciplines. Representation matters, and seeing women succeed in various fields will motivate the next generation,” she added.
With the second season of the WPL set to begin on February 14, Mandhana is focused on defending RCB’s title. However, her vision extends far beyond the cricket field. She envisions a future where women dominate not just cricket but also other sports, creating a more inclusive and diverse sporting ecosystem in India.
To learn more about the growth of women’s sports in India, visit Women’s Premier League Official Website. For updates on India’s Olympic and Paralympic campaigns, check out Olympic Channel.
This push for diversity in sports aligns with Mandhana’s belief that India’s journey to becoming a global sporting powerhouse depends on empowering women across all disciplines. As she aptly put it, “The future is female, and it’s time we embrace it fully.”
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