RCB to become first IPL team to appoint woman in support staff

RCB will become the first IPL franchise to have a woman support staff member in the next edition, having roped in Navnita Gautam as the massage therapist.

ISL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will become the first team in the league to have a woman in the support staff in the 13th edition, appointing Navnita Gautam as the team's sports massage therapist.

Navnita will be working with Evan Speechly, the head physiotherapist and Shanker Basu, strength and conditioning coach to provide guidance and implement massage therapy for the team.

She will be responsible for performing specialised techniques pertaining to the preparation, overall supervision and all individual physical ailments relating to the team.

On the appointment, Sanjeev Churiwala, chairman of the franchise, said: “I am very pleased to be a part of this moment in history and another step in the right direction. The game has come a long way, in many ways, in terms of the women’s cricket team and how many people are watching it, the interest was long due.

“Sport is a great enabler, but it is important to ensure that the principles of equity in participation also extends to its staffing bodies. Increasing participation and success by women in all sporting arenas have made this possible and we at RCB are very thrilled to have found great talent in Navnita.”