Fingent Pathbreakers women cricketers from India conclude UAE tour on a high note

By K.R. Nayar 

Women cricketers from different states of India displayed their skills to overpower teams made up of UAE women's team players. The tour was part of a girls-empowerment initiative by the Trivandrum-based player-management company Play True. Saee K Purandare piled up 321 runs from seven matches to hog the limelight

Fingent Pathbreakers women's team at the press conference  

Fingent Pathbreakers, a women's cricket team made up of players from the Indian states of Kerala, Meghalaya, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, completed their 10-day tour of the UAE on a splendid note displaying impressive skills to win matches against teams made up of UAE women cricketers.

The tour was organised by Trivandrum-based player-management company Play True under their girls-empowerment initiative, For HER, in association with Dubai-based G Force Cricket Academy.

The matches produced outstanding performances, especially from Saee K Purandare who piled up 321 runs in seven innings at an average of 107, which included three half-centuries. KK Aparna, an off-spinner, produced a deadly spell of six wickets in one of the matches. 
Gopal Jasapara, Head Coach of the G Force Cricket Academy, inspired the girls by organising matches at different venues in Sharjah, Ajman, and Dubai, and also taking them on a tour of the Shyam Bhatia Cricket museum to give them a peek into the history of the game.

Fingent Pathbreakers women's team at the Shyam Bhatia museum 

Addressing a press meet at the conclusion of the tour, he said: “We've had 10 days of excellent cricket and practice, and Fingent Pathbreakers have played some very good cricket. G Force Cricket Academy is both delighted and proud to be part of this historic tour.”

Saee K Purandare, expressing her joy at being able to perform in unfamiliar conditions abroad, said: “The tour has been fantastic and we have been looked after well. The playing conditions in India now and here in the UAE are different, especially in the winter evenings, but that’s how we improve as players.”

This tour was made possible due to the sponsorship of Fingent Software Solutions, who were the title sponsors. Anoop Thomas, Client Partner- Middle East, Fingent Software Solutions, believes there is some synergy between their company’s core values and the girl empowerment initiative of Play True. He said: “Fingent is also driven by its core values that aim to influence clients, peers, family, and society. This initiative aims to bring a positive change in society, and that aligns with Fingent's core values.  We are proud to partner with Play True and sponsor the Pathbreakers team for their first international tour as a team,”

The tour was also supported by Spericorn, Indian Oil Corporation, Calicut Paragon, Coral Perfumes, and a number of individuals who support both cricket and girl-empowerment initiatives.

Shibi M Thampi, Managing Director, Coral Perfumes, felicitated all the cricketers and wished everyone more success in the future.

Fingent Pathbreakers won four out of the seven matches during this tour. These victories were against Spring Sports Academy’s women team that was made up of the best women cricketers from the UAE.

Sonia Anirudhan, CEO and Co-Founder of Play True, who played the role of a guide and inspiration for the girls, said: “As a player-management company, Play True launched For HER not just for cricket but for all sports.  We will be supporting girls in other sports as well who normally don’t get good training facilities and sponsorship support. Play True’s vision of empowering girls through sports is based on growing evidence that women and girls who play sports are increasingly likely to excel in both, on the playing field and in life."