Girl Rising Launches India's First Mixed-Gender Cricket League

A new initiative has been launched in Bilaspur, where girls and boys from government schools are coming together to play cricket as equals. The Rise Premier League, India's first organised mixed-gender cricket league for government school youth, was launched on the eve of International Youth Day.

The league is the result of a successful pilot program last year and is now poised to reach over 3,800 students across 12 government schools. The program is organised by Girl Rising India Foundation, in partnership with the Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research, and supported by HP and the HP Foundation.

The idea for the Rise Premier League emerged from a comic book featured in Girl Rising's RISE curriculum, which tells the story of a girl determined to play cricket despite social norms that tell her the sport is 'not for girls'. The comic book inspired a mixed-gender cricket match on International Day of the Girl in 2025, which was a huge success and led to the creation of the annual league.

The league will feature four mixed-gender teams competing across league-stage matches, with the finalists battling for the championship title. The league is slated to conclude on October 10, ahead of the International Day of the Girl.

The Rise Premier League is not just about playing cricket, but also about developing 21st-century life skills such as confidence, teamwork, communication, and leadership. The league aims to challenge long-held gender stereotypes and create opportunities for youth to apply these skills in real-world settings.

Through the RISE curriculum, teachers integrate social-emotional learning, leadership, gender equality, digital and AI skills, financial literacy, and climate awareness into classroom learning. The curriculum includes 30 interactive sessions that help students develop these skills.

Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO of Girl Rising, said that the Rise Premier League is a powerful platform where adolescents can learn to lead, collaborate, and challenge the norms that limit their potential.

The league will bring together parents, teachers, district education officials, and local communities, creating a platform to celebrate girls' participation in sport while encouraging broader conversations around equity and inclusion.

The Rise Premier League is an innovative initiative that aims to promote gender equality and inclusion in sports. By providing a platform for girls and boys to play together, the league is helping to break down social barriers and challenge stereotypes.

In conclusion, the Rise Premier League is a significant step towards promoting gender equality and inclusion in sports. The league's focus on developing 21st-century life skills and challenging social norms makes it a unique and impactful initiative.

As the league progresses, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the lives of the young participants and the wider community. The Rise Premier League is a powerful example of how sports can be used to promote social change and empower young people to reach their full potential.

The success of the Rise Premier League will depend on the continued support of organisations like HP and the HP Foundation, as well as the commitment of the teachers, parents, and local communities involved. With their support, the league has the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in India.

The Rise Premier League is an exciting initiative that has the potential to inspire a new generation of young people to challenge social norms and strive for excellence. As the league continues to grow and develop, it will be exciting to see the impact it has on the lives of the young participants and the wider community.