Girl Rising’s RISE Premier League Celebrates Gender Equality and Leadership Through Cricket in Chhattisgarh
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh | October 10, 2026: The cricket field in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has become a platform for learning, leadership and gender equality, as students from government schools across Bilha Block came together to compete in the RISE Premier League (RPL). Organised by the Girl Rising India Foundation in partnership with the Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research, and supported by the HP Foundation, the league concluded with Daganiya ke Dhurandhar from GHSS Daganiya emerging as champions and Bhadi ke Blasters from GHSS Bhadi finishing as runners-up.
Over the past two months, girls and boys have batted, bowled, captained teams and developed strategies together, putting into practice the confidence, teamwork, leadership and equality promoted through Girl Rising’s RISE programme.
The tournament brought together 68 young players in mixed-gender teams, along with teachers, parents, community members and local leaders, to celebrate a season of inclusive participation and shared achievement.
Rajni Kewat of Daganiya ke Dhurandhar and Danish Sahu of Bhadi ke Blasters were named Players of the Match, while Shalini Yadav of GHSS Daganiya and Lucky Sahu of GHSS Bhadi received the Players of the Tournament honours.
Girls Take the Lead on the Cricket Field
The league highlighted how skills developed in the classroom can translate into confidence and leadership on the field. Himani Yadav led Bhadi ke Blasters through an unbeaten league stage, while Mayank Dhiwar scored 54 runs across three matches.
For Daganiya ke Dhurandhar, Shilpa Suryavanshi guided her team to the final after an opening defeat, leading a comeback with victories in their next two matches. Rajni Kewat also delivered a standout performance, helping her team secure a win after all the boys had been dismissed.
Boys demonstrated teamwork and support throughout the competition. Nagesh Verma made an early impact by taking five wickets and scoring 20 runs.
Together, these performances reflected the values promoted through RISE: young people stepping up, supporting one another, adapting under pressure and participating as equals.
Connecting Classroom Learning with Sport
The RISE Premier League extends the learning experience offered by Girl Rising’s RISE curriculum, which comprises 30 interactive sessions designed to equip adolescents with social-emotional and 21st-century skills. These include storytelling, leadership, communication, gender equality, digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, financial literacy and climate awareness.
The programme currently reaches more than 3,800 students across 12 government schools in Bilha Block, in collaboration with the District Education Office.
The idea for the league was inspired by Kusum’s Adventurous Innings, a Girl Rising comic book about a girl challenging the stereotype that cricket is not for girls. Every participating student received a copy of the comic, bringing its message of courage, confidence and possibility to the young players.
The initiative took shape after a mixed-gender cricket match organised on International Day of the Girl last year generated strong enthusiasm among students.
Winning Captain Highlights Teamwork and Trust
Reflecting on the team’s victory, Shilpa Suryavanshi, captain of Daganiya ke Dhurandhar, said:
“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.”
Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO of Girl Rising India Foundation, said the league had demonstrated how the RISE curriculum helps students put essential life skills into practice.
“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?”
Education Officials and Partners Emphasise Inclusion
Bhupendra Kaushik, Block Education Officer, Bilha Block, Bilaspur, said the initiative reflected the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on connecting sports, life skills and academics.
“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. Programmes like RISE help build an environment in our region where every child, and especially every girl, has the chance to reach their full potential.”
Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Chairperson of the Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research, described the league as an opportunity to nurture leadership, teamwork and shared responsibility among young people.
“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.”
Girl Rising Plans to Expand the League
The RISE Premier League is envisioned as an annual event, with plans to expand its reach to more schools and students, creating additional opportunities for young people to translate classroom learning into confidence, leadership and action.
Girl Rising India works with adolescents, particularly girls, across government schools and communities to develop the social-emotional skills they need to thrive in 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 more than 60,000 adolescents and 1,200 teachers across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.