Mumbai: WPL in Goregaon society shows how cricket continues to unite communities

On the heels of the Women in Bluersquos historic World Cup victory at DY Patil Stadium on November 2 members of Garden View Apartments in Royal Palms Goregaon East organised a twoday fiveover lsquoWomenrsquos Premier Leaguersquo with four teams comprising six players each to unite residents of more than 360 flatsThe idea stemmed from an annual game of cricket played by Shindes following the Indian Premier League IPL format While residents of Garden View Apartments celebrate several festivals together the committee this year decided to launch a Womenrsquos Premier League for residents to display their sporting prowessReshma ChauhanBhushan and Sruthi Shinde residents and committee members of the Garden View Apartments organised the tournament which took place on November 8 and 9 Teams and captains were chosen based on the drawing of chits Keeping the names of the teams neutral they decided to go with planets and ended up choosing Mercury Mavericks Venus Vipers Mars Warriors and Jupiter GiantsPlayersrsquo experienceSruthi Shinde said ldquoWe had been having very few conversations with our neighbours and we wanted to do something about the distance between us all so my husband came up with the idea of holding an event While the committee was discussing the matter the idea of a WPL came up and things just came togetherrdquoVenus Vipers the team that won the final on November 9After the teams were formed the main hurdle that the players faced was finding time to practice ldquoAll of our families supported us Yes there were hurdles for some but because everyone came around eventually we the players could finally find time to practise Some of us who work practised late at night It was beautiful seeing everyone come together this wayrdquo said Netravati Mali a participantChild supportExemplifying the saying lsquoIt takes a village to raise a childrsquo society members stepped up to lend a hand to players with children under 10 in the runup to the tournament ldquoI never felt like I needed help with my oneyearold When I came down to practise some resident or the other would take care of my baby And at the end of play when I went around to see who had my baby I would see the toddler happily playing in someonersquos armsrdquo said Kranti Narve who was in the winning team Venus Vipers and was also awarded the title of best wicket keeperThe Jupiter GiantsJupiter Giantsrsquo Reshma Chauhan one of the oldest players said ldquoI am a teacher so I had to do my daily work and practice My husband was a huge support system making tea for everyone while we practised and played It was his way of showing he cared and supported usrdquoMars Warriorsrsquo Ritu Jha had her own unique experience mdashher nineyearold became the unofficial coach of the 24 players ldquoMy kid instructed us how to bowl and field He would tell us if we were holding the bat wrong He received many chocolates and treats as a reward on the days we were playingrdquoNetravati Mali resident Garden View AptsShe added ldquoHe is excited about a kidsrsquo sports event we are planning He has already picked his team of playersrdquo Two male society members Sayed Shaik and Anikesh Singh volunteered to umpire the matchesrdquoAfter effectsWhile a residential society organising an event is not always newsworthy in this instance the tournament had unique aftershocks On witnessing the initiative other societies around the colony have started planning their own matches ldquoWe have seen others planning their own matches now and everyone is excited about the possibility of an intersociety WPL matchrdquo said Sruthi ShindeBhushan and Sruthi Shinde the organisers of the tournament PicsBy Special ArrangementThe women also claim that they have had calls and messages from their real estate brokers about vacant flats in their apartment as the WPL has attracted potential buyers Once again cricket has been proven to be a sport that unifies not only countries but also communities