Dubai: Have you noticed the lady in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dugout with other players? She is the only lady among the players and support staff in the contingent — Navnita Gautam, RCB’s massage therapist.
The Bangalore-based franchise appointed her last October and it had grabbed all the media attention all over the country. The actual reason behind it was the scarcity of female support staff members in the cash-rich league.
It is her maiden season with an IPL franchise. But she is not new to working with cricket or any other sports team. The Canada-based therapist has worked with Toronto Nationals in the Global T20 Canada League and with India Women’s Basketball team during the Asia Cup.
However, she is currently the first and only woman to be part of the support staff across the entire IPL. While speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Gautam was asked if she had any apprehensions about the same, she said, “Absolutely not. It’s like having 20 brothers around at all times.”
Gautam works with Evan Speechly, the head physiotherapist and Shanker Basu, strength & conditioning coach to identify, evaluate, provide guidance and implement massage therapy to suit the players. She will be responsible for performing specialized techniques referring to the preparation, motivation, overall supervision and all individual physical ailments relating to the squad.
“I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history and another step in the right direction. 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,” said RCB Chairman Sanjeev Churiwala.
“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.”
