Girl Rising’s RISE Premier League Promotes Equality
The cricket field in Bilaspur has become a place for learning and leadership. Over the past two months, girls and boys from government schools across Bilha Block have played cricket together. They have batted, bowled, captained teams and made game plans. Through sport, they have put the skills learnt through Girl Rising’s RISE programme into action.
The RISE Premier League (RPL) was organised by Girl Rising India Foundation, in partnership with the Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research. The HP Foundation supported the initiative.
At the finale, Daganiya ke Dhurandhar from GHSS Daganiya emerged as the first champions. Meanwhile, Bhadi ke Blasters from GHSS Bhadi finished as runners-up.
Rajni Kewat of Daganiya ke Dhurandhar and Danish Sahu of Bhadi ke Blasters were named Players of the Match. In addition, Shalini Yadav of GHSS Daganiya and Lucky Sahu of GHSS Bhadi received the Players of the Tournament awards.
The finale brought together players, teachers, parents, community members and local leaders. Together, they celebrated a season of cricket, teamwork and equal participation. Across the league, 68 young players competed in mixed-gender teams.
RISE Programme Builds Skills Through Sport
The league is an extension of Girl Rising’s RISE curriculum. The curriculum includes 30 interactive sessions that help young people develop important life skills.
These sessions cover storytelling, leadership, communication and gender equality. They also introduce digital and AI skills, financial literacy and climate awareness.
Currently, the programme reaches more than 3,800 students across 12 government schools in Bilha Block. It works in partnership with the District Education Office.
The cricket league gives students a chance to use these skills beyond the classroom. As a result, players can practise decision-making, teamwork and leadership during real matches.
Girls Take the Lead on the Cricket Field
Throughout the tournament, several girls showed strong leadership. For example, Himani Yadav led Bhadi ke Blasters through an unbeaten league stage. Meanwhile, Mayank Dhiwar scored 54 runs across three matches.
Daganiya ke Dhurandhar also made a strong comeback. After losing their opening match, the team won its next two games to reach the final. Captain Shilpa Suryavanshi played an important role in this journey.
Rajni Kewat also delivered a standout performance. She helped her team secure a win after all the boys in her team had been dismissed.
The boys showed teamwork and support as well. Nagesh Verma made an early impact by taking five wickets and scoring 20 runs.
Together, these performances showed how young people can support one another, face challenges and play as equals.
Cricket Helps Challenge Gender Stereotypes
The RISE Premier League was inspired by Kusum’s Adventurous Innings, a Girl Rising comic book. The story follows a girl who challenges the belief that cricket is “not for girls”.
To spread this message, every student who took part received a copy of the comic. It encourages young readers to believe in their abilities and explore new opportunities.
The idea for the league came after a mixed-gender cricket match held on International Day of the Girl the previous year. The match received an enthusiastic response from students. As a result, the RISE Premier League was created.
Young Players Share Their Experiences
Shilpa Suryavanshi, captain of the winning team, Daganiya ke Dhurandhar, shared what the tournament meant to her.
“From our first match to the final, this journey has been full of learning, challenges, and unforgettable moments. Every teammate supported me and stood by me through every decision. As captain, I learned the value of trust, teamwork, and leadership. Winning the RISE Premier League is a proud moment for all of us. This victory belongs to every player who gave their best and believed in our team. Together, we proved what we can achieve when we stand united.” – Shilpa Suryavanshi, Winning Team Captain, Daganiya ke Dhurandhar, RISE Premier League
Girl Rising Highlights the Value of Teamwork
Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO, Girl Rising India Foundation, spoke about the impact of the league.
“The Rise Premier League has been a phenomenal experience for both players and spectators, and a powerful demonstration of what the RISE curriculum is designed to build. We have seen girls step up as captains, make decisions and showcase their skills, while boys have shown teamwork, respect and a real spirit of playing together. Girls have shown that they belong on the field and in every space they choose to be.
Together, girls and boys demonstrated what can unfold when they support and encourage each other, both in the classroom and beyond. This is why opportunities like RPL matter…they turn skills like confidence, leadership, teamwork and respect into lived experience, helping young people become future-ready. And what better place to start than through sport?”
Schools Connect Sports with Education
Mr. Bhupendra Kaushik, Block Education officer, Bilha Block, Bilaspur, highlighted the role of sport in learning.
“The National Education Policy 2020 asks us to see sports, life skills and academics as connected, with no hard lines between learning inside and outside the classroom. RISE is bringing this idea to life in our government schools. Our teachers lead the sessions in class, students build these skills, and the RISE Premier League gives them a platform to put those skills into practice in front of their families and community. When parents and community members cheer for girls and boys playing as equals, that message travels across the district. Programs like RISE help build an environment in our region where every child, and especially every girl, has the chance to reach their full potential.” – Mr. Bhupendra Kaushik, Block Education officer, Bilha Block, Bilaspur
Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Chairperson, Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research, also spoke about the wider value of the initiative.
“The RISE Premier League is much more than a sporting event. It is a powerful platform for nurturing leadership, teamwork, equality and a sense of shared responsibility among young people. It gives girls the opportunity to step forward, showcase their talent and lead with confidence. At the same time, it encourages boys to embrace the values of respect, inclusion and equal participation. Through sport, students develop essential life skills such as confidence, communication, collaboration and mutual respect… skills that extend far beyond the cricket field. These experiences lay the foundation for a more inclusive society rooted in gender equality.” – Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Chairperson, Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research
Girl Rising Plans to Expand the League
Girl Rising plans to make the RISE Premier League an annual event. It also aims to reach more schools and students in the coming years.
Through the league, more young people will have opportunities to build confidence and put their skills into practice. In turn, these experiences can help them take on leadership roles in school and their communities.
Girl Rising India works with adolescents, particularly girls, in government schools and communities. Its programmes help young people develop the skills they need for education, work and life.
Over the past decade, the organisation has reached more than 600,000 adolescents, 36,000 teachers and 27,000 parents. During the current academic year, it is working with over 60,000 adolescents and 1,200 teachers across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
