Sachin backing proves another step forward for women's game

With the help of the ‘Little Master’, Alison Mitchell looks ahead to this year’s Women’s World Cup and beyond.

- Alison Mitchell

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was this week announced as an ambassador for the ICC Women’s World Cup to be held in England this June and July. It is the first time the competition has featured an ambassador in this way, and there is much to like about the way the ICC have secured the most legendary name in the global game to help promote the event.

When I met Tendulkar at Lord’s as part of the ICC’s World Cup launch on International Women’s Day, I was keen to detect the depth of his knowledge of the women’s game. Was his interest a new one, brought about through agreeing an ambassadorial role, or has he genuinely kept an eye on the game for some time? It didn’t really matter either way, but his passion in the upcoming tournament needed to be authentic. Whilst I’m not sure he could name or recognise too many of the England team present at the event in the Long Room, it was clear he is passionate about the use of sport, and cricket in particular, as a tool for empowering women and girls.

“All of us should be encouraging our children to go out and play more,” he told the ICC. “Moreso a girl child. Normally the tendency is to get the boy out to play in the garden and do all sorts of sporting activities while the girl-child has to help her mother and do all the household things. I don’t agree with that. Girls should have the freedom to make their own choices. If we all get together to support and encourage them to do whatever they want to do in life, the results will follow.”