Rahul SahaThe Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have roped in Indian tennis legend and six-time Grand Slam winner Sania Mirza as a mentor for their Women’s Premier League (WPL) team.
Mirza’s global stature as one of the leading role models for innumerable women prompted the RCB management to on-board her to motivate and encourage their women’s team ahead of the inaugural WPL season, which is scheduled to be played in March 2023.
On her new role as RCB women’s team mentor, Mirza said:
“It is a pleasure for me to join the RCB women’s team as a mentor. Indian women’s cricket has seen a tectonic shift with the Women’s Premier League, and I am really looking forward to being a part of this revolutionary pitch. RCB and its brand philosophy perfectly resonates with my vision and outlook as that’s how I have approached my playing career and it’s also how I see contributing to sports post my retirement. RCB has been a popular team and much followed team in the IPL over the years. I am immensely happy to see them building a team for the Women’s Premier League as it will push the women’s sports to new heights in the country, open new doors to women cricketers and help make sports the first career choice for young girls and young parents with a girl child.”
Rajesh V Menon, Head and Vice President of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, added:
“We are glad and honoured to welcome Sania Mirza as mentor of the RCB women’s team. She is the perfect role model with her success stemming out of her sheer hard work, passion, and determination, despite many challenges in her playing career. Sania is someone our young generation looks up to and she can motivate, encourage our team as she herself has been an uber competitive player who understands how to overcome challenges and handle pressure at various situations at the highest level of sports. Her stature and gravitas as well as her attitude will inspire and bring the much needed panache to transform the team with a Bold Personality.”
The Royal Challengers were one of more proactive franchises during the first-ever WPL auction as they went about assembling a mixture of both world-class talents and exciting young players for their squad. Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana grabbed the headlines, while the management team were swift to build a team around her by adding the likes of Australia’s Ellyse Perry and Megan Schutt, New Zealand skipper Heather Knight, South African all-rounder Dane Van Niekerk, and India U19 star Richa Ghosh.
