Royal Challengers Bangalore become the first IPL franchise to hire female staff. On Thursday team announced the news of appointing Navnita Gautam as the first woman staff of Indian Premier League.
First-ever in IPL
With the 13th edition of the league approaching fast, all the franchises are busy in revamping the core. RCB already added Mike Hesson as the team director and Simon Katich to take over as the head of the coaching staff. Now they recruit Navnita Gautham as their Sports Massage Therapist. While this is certainly a part of their team modifications, this turns out to be a historic step towards the gender equality of cricket.
Navnita will be closely working with Evan Speechly, the Head Physiotherapist and Basu Shanker, Strength and Conditioning Coach. Her responsibility will be performing specialized techniques pertaining to the preparation, motivation, overall supervision and all individual physical ailments relating to the team. She will study and strategise before implementing therapy suitable for the team based on the different conditions.
RCB Chairman speaks
Chairman of the team Sanjeev Churiwala welcomed Navnita in the franchise and termed this as a historic decision. “I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history and another step in the right direction. The game has come a long way, in many ways, in terms of the Women’s Cricket Team and how many people are watching it, the interest was long due.”
The official statement by Sanjeev Churiwala further reflected on RCB’s constant effort of trying to keep up with the pace and latest trend. “Sport is a great enabler, but it is important to ensure that the principles of equity in participation also extends to its staffing bodies. Increasing participation and success by women in all sporting arenas have made this possible and we at RCB are very thrilled to have found great talent in Nainital.”
