NEW DELHI, The English cricket team joined forces with UNICEF and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to engage with 50 children in Ahmedabad, India, emphasizing equal opportunities and rights for girls and boys. This clinic culminated a series of 10 cricket clinics held with teams participating in the 2023 World Cup across India, all aimed at promoting equality and empowerment for young people through sports.
According to UNIC-Islamabad, the initiative saw cricket teams from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, each interacting with 50 children at their respective stadiums across India from October 10 to November 3, 2023. These teams not only shared cricket techniques but also imparted life skills and confidence-building lessons, with a particular focus on empowering girls who face significant challenges in South Asia.
UNICEF’s South Asia Regional Director, Sanjay Wijesekera, highlighted the transformative power of cricket in South Asia and the intention to leverage the sport’s influential platform during the World Cup to advance the rights and opportunities of both girls and boys. In a region where girls often lag behind in education and are disproportionately affected by issues such as child marriage and malnutrition, these clinics aim to create positive and inspiring experiences that encourage perseverance and equality.
The cricket clinics provided an interactive and hands-on learning experience. In New Delhi, girls named Priyanka and Shabnam described their positive interactions with the Afghanistan cricket team, emphasizing the supportive and instructive environment. Vikas expressed his excitement about meeting Afghan player Rashid Khan, an experience made possible by this unique initiative. Naveen-ul-Haq, the Afghan bowler, encouraged the children with a message of inclusivity and ambition in cricket, regardless of gender.
The Pakistan cricket team, including prominent players like Mohammad Rizwan and Hasan Ali, engaged with children in Bengaluru, as did the Australian team, which included figures such as Pat Cummins and David Warner. Cummins also made a special visit to a primary school in Lucknow to observe UNICEF’s educational programs, which use practical skills to promote continued schooling.
Children also interacted with the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan teams in clinics that went beyond cricket skills, teaching teamwork and decision-making. Sneha Mondal and Shuvam Rajwar, among others, shared their excitement and the impact the sessions had on them, from feeling equal to their male peers to learning teamwork and negotiation.
Finally, the Indian cricket team met with children from the Bharat Scouts and Guide at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, rounding off a series of events that exemplified sports’ potential to unite and empower.