Women in Pharsani, Bironkhal block, Pauri district walk miles to collect wood and fodder. Now, they are walking to play and watch cricket. For six years, Kunjeshwar Mahadev Samiti – a social organisation – had been hosting a cricket tournament for men. But large-scale migration to cities meant this year there were not enough men to man the teams.
When KMS decided to host a women’s cricket tournament, says Mukesh Rawat, an office-bearer, the response was overwhelming – 45 teams applied, 32 were picked.
Locals are all for it. KMS’s prize money for winner and runners-up is Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500, respectively. But locals announced cash rewards of Rs 3.5 lakh for standout players. Players’ ages range from 14 to 50, Rawat says, and most had never played before. But enthusiasm was undimmed. The tournament started on January 7. Finals are later this month. Teams are playing 5-over, tennis ball matches.
Some tweaks to cricket rules were made. Since most players had never held a bat or a ball, rules like LBW, leg byes and byes were set aside. But ‘no balls’ and ‘wide balls’ are being enforced.
Women are also present in numbers among spectators. “Women from many remote villages like Timli, Nainssyun, Bainro, Punjoli and Gureedsheelthala have come to play in the tournament. It has been a great way for them to bond with each other,” Rawat said.
Kanak Toopraniya, captain of Uttarakhand women’s cricket U-19 team, told TOI, “The biggest credit goes to the people who came up with the concept…It helped women come out of their homes…enjoy themselves and spend time together… Such initiatives may help find new players for the country.”
Many local observers say the tournament is a big break for hill women who have tough lives and little time of their own. Punjoli resident Karishma Devi, who represented her village team, says not only did cricket get them out of their homes and their tiring routine, it also allowed them to raise issues like poor road connectivity. Only one team will win the tournament. But every woman in Pauri, playing or watching, has already won.
