Hundred and two years after it's foundation was laid, Lucknow University (LU) has formed it's women's cricket team for the first time ever. Girls with distinct talents and high courage who will be debuting at the Inter-University North Zone Cricket Tournament to be held on November 25.
Coinciding with LU's foundation day, the girl's team aims to win their debut 20-20 match against Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University, Faizabad, and later to bring the trophy home.
Back in the past, LU had made several attempts to form a women's cricket team but there were not enough girls who came ahead to participate in the sport. Even when some of the girls came forward, they could not qualify for the trials said the spokesperson ( Durgesh Srivastava ) from the University.
It should also be noted that Lucknow happens to be the cradle of women's cricket in India. Due to the efforts of Mahendra Kumar Sharma, the cricket administrator from Lucknow, the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was registered under the Societies Act in Lucknow in 1973.
The step has opened many more prospects for women's cricket in the country. WCAI remained in existence for the next 32 years until BCCI took over the control of managing women's cricket in India in 2006. Mahendra Kumar Sharma made a door-to-door initiative that is still remembered by the locals in reference to mobilising the people to come over and watch the matches of the women's cricket team. The Chairman of the Athletic Association said that around 30 students from LU and affiliated colleges registered to be a part of the team.
After several trials, the team of 16 was finalized along with two reserve players. The LU Team will be competing against 43 teams participating in the tournament that begins on November 25 and will end by the start of the first week of December. Most of the players on the team come from humble backgrounds. They have been practicing some 4-5 hours daily and are hopeful of lifting the trophy.
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References:
- timesofindia.com
- menafn.com
- ianslive.in