Rajasthan Royals to sponsor six female cricketers every year to help women’s game grow in UAE

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals chairman Ranjit Barthakur has revealed that they are keen to sponsor six junior female cricketers in the UAE, in a bid to grow the women’s game in the country. This the second time the cash-rich league is being held in the Middle East – the last time it was in 2014.



“We have visited the Dubai Sports Council and met Mr Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General. We have offered them our support,” Barthakur was quoted as saying to Khaleej Times. “We want Dubai to be the center of excellence for children’s cricket and women's cricket.



“We have offered from the Royal Academy at the Rajasthan Royals to sponsor every year six female players below the age of 18 to train in India as we want to do our bit to help women’s cricket in the UAE,” he added. “One of the best things the BCCI has done is to bring the women’s T20 Challenge this year to the UAE. That would be a great help in creating enthusiasm.”



After India’s England tour got cancelled and the 2021 Women’s World Cup postponed further for a year, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly announced that the women’s T20 Challenge will be happening in UAE during the IPL playoffs with the existing three teams. However, no official announcement has been made yet regarding the squad selection.



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“It is very important to understand, that the Emirati people must also play cricket. The UAE is such a diverse country with so many nationalities living here. They do provide here everybody with equal opportunity. So if we can promote Emirati cricketers, it will go a long way in promoting cricket here. I think they have a fantastic establishment,” he said.



He also added that the Dubai Sports Council is the best in the business to promote women’s cricket in the country. “We have been inspired by the vision and ambition of this country and its great leaders,” Barthakur said. Also, don’t forget the role played by Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the man who brought cricket to the UAE all those years ago with the iconic Sharjah tournaments,” he added.



“The nurturing of women’s cricket is critical and there can be nobody better than the Dubai Sports Council to encourage women’s cricket. I do hope it does spread to the rest of the emirates to get Emirati people involved in it because there is a certain finesse when women play cricket, it’s so beautiful to watch. So, we from the Royal Academy would be really glad to help women’s cricket in the UAE,” Barthakur concluded.