BMW for Mithali Raj

Hyderabad: V. Chamundeshwaranath, the former Indian first class cricketer, has shown his appreciation for Mithali Raj, highest women’s ODI run-getter and captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, by presenting her a brand new BMW car here on Tuesday.

Chamundeshwaranath said that it is important to support talented players. “For me it’s not about results; I see talent in a person and when they have talent we should support them. The women’s cricket team is doing really good. I have suggested that there should be a female player per team along with men in the Celebrity Cricket League which can make way for the women IPL in future.”

When Mithali was asked about women playing in the CCL team, she said: “I have seen Australian Cricket Board and England Cricket Board trying to promote their women cricketers through endorsements. In our country, being a part of a celebrity match will be a very good motive for young players. When people see a woman player as part of the team it will open a path for many talented girls in the country.”

The 34-year-old Hyderabadi cricketer, who led her team to the finals of the World Cup, said that the central and state governments “have supported us a lot this time. I am really happy that after a long time women’s cricket has got a base. I thank the whole nation for appreciating our efforts.”

“Not only cars, Chamundi sir has also gifted me many bats with which I have scored more number of runs in the recent tournament,” she added.

“She is fit enough to play for the next two to three years and as long as she enjoys playing the sport, she will continue to play,” said her coach, R.S.R. Murthy.

Chief national coach for Badminton team, Pullela Gopichand, hailed Mithali’s performance in the World Cup, by telling that she has been a “real motivator” for many players to take up the sport.

“I congratulate you, the entire team and the support staff. This will be a beginning for a lot more wins to come and many more kids will take this as an inspiration,” he added.

SCRSA felicitates women’s captain

The South Central Railway Sports Association (SCRSA), the sports wing of SCR felicitated Indian women’s cricket team skipper, and Officer on Special duty (Sports), SCR, Mithali Raj, on Tuesday at the Rail Nilayam Auditorium in Secunderabad.

Mithali Raj, in her thanks giving gave credit for her success to South Central Railway which encouraged her to the hilt. The best decision taken by her parents was to accept the job offer from Railways for her, she stated. Mithali stated that Indian Railways is one organisation which has taken maximum women cricketers under its fold.