Exclusive | The Meghalayan Express | By Prarthana Hazarika
Guwahati, Oct 28: Distributing cricket kits to schoolgirls can be a powerful step towards nurturing the next generation of women cricketers, believes legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who called for such initiatives to become a regular feature to encourage young talent from the Northeast.
Speaking at the Topcem Cricket Kit Distribution event in Guwahati on Tuesday, where cricket kits were distributed to 10 schools across Assam, Gavaskar stressed that providing young girls with the necessary equipment could give them the motivation and confidence to pursue their cricketing dreams.
“Distributing cricket kits to girls will motivate girls from the outskirts to excel and follow their dreams. When they get a kit, they feel motivated,” Gavaskar said.
The former India captain expressed his desire to see more girls and young women from the Northeast emerge as successful cricketers, matching the achievements of their male counterparts and making their mark on the national and international stage.
“I want girls and young women from India’s Northeast to excel just like the men’s team. The Indian women’s team is already a 50-over champion and a T20 runner-up,” he said.
Gavaskar’s remarks underline the importance of grassroots initiatives in expanding the reach of women’s cricket, particularly in regions where access to equipment, training facilities and structured opportunities can determine whether a young girl gets the chance to pursue the sport seriously.
For aspiring cricketers in Assam and the wider Northeast, receiving a cricket kit can mean much more than simply acquiring sporting equipment. It can serve as an encouragement to step onto the field, develop their skills and believe that a future in cricket is within their reach.
The distribution of kits to 10 schools through the Topcem initiative assumes significance in this context. By taking the equipment directly to schools, the initiative seeks to encourage participation at the grassroots level, where sporting aspirations often begin.
Gavaskar emphasised that such efforts should not be dismissed as small gestures, but recognised for the potential impact they can have on young athletes.
“Distributing cricket kits to schools is not a small gesture but a big one. And would love to see these gestures often,” he said.
Also present at the event were Mr Anil Kapur, Senior President (Sales and Marketing), Topcem, and Mr Bajrang Lohia, Director, Topcem.
The initiative comes at a time when women’s cricket in India is enjoying greater visibility, with the national team’s performances inspiring girls across the country to take up the sport. For the Northeast, ensuring that this inspiration translates into wider participation will require sustained support at the school and community levels.
While international success provides young players with role models, grassroots initiatives can help bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity. Access to equipment, coaching, regular competition and encouragement from schools and communities can make a significant difference in helping young cricketers progress.
Assam and the wider Northeast have a strong sporting culture, and providing girls with opportunities to participate in cricket can help broaden the region’s contribution to Indian women’s sport.
Gavaskar’s message was clear: nurturing future champions begins at the grassroots. A cricket kit may appear to be a simple gift, but for a young girl with dreams of representing her state or country, it can be an important first step.
His call for such initiatives to be organised more frequently reinforces the need for continued investment in school-level sport, ensuring that talent from the remotest corners of the Northeast gets the opportunity to flourish.
Receiving cricket kits from a legend is all about encouragement, opportunity and the possibility of one day following in the footsteps of India’s cricketing stars.
