Royal Challengers Bangalore Become First Team in IPL History to Appoint a Woman in Support Staff
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) appointed Navnita Gautam as their message therapist on Thursday to become the first team in IPL history to appoint a woman as a part of their support staff.
Gautam will work alongside Evan Speechly, the head physiotherapist, and Shankar Basu, the strength & conditioning coach.
Gautam’s role would entail “performing specialised techniques pertaining to the preparation, motivation, overall supervision and all individual physical ailments relating to the team,” a release from the franchise stated.
“I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history and another step in the right direction,” said RCB chairman, Sanjeev Churiwala. 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.
“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 Navnita.”