The world has changed significantly nowadays. The pandemic has taken a toll on the lives of people throughout the globe. Fear from the novel virus has caused a great degree of stress in normal lives. Domestic players have faced the biggest complications as they are not well equipped, with resources, to deal with such an unprecedented break.
In this light, it is commendable to note that the CAB or Cricket Association of Bengal organized a session of power yoga webinar for the women’s U-19 team. As per IANS, the webinar was an attempt by the cricketing board to keep the young female cricketers mentally and physically fit in the current crisis.
The yoga session was held under the supervision of expert Yoga instructor Suman Bhatt on Monday. The President of the Cricket Association of Bengal Avishek Dalmiya said, “Yoga is integral to our culture and power yoga is a perfect mix of science and tradition. It has been our continuous effort to keep the players motivated and fit. Even if on-field action does not begin CAB is mindful of keeping the players fit in body and mind and this session is part of the ongoing process”.
Suman Bhat, interestingly, has an experience of over 10 years and specializes in power yoga. She elaborated on how the session will assist girls in staying fit. She said, “Girls asked questions related to the mix of their fitness routine and yoga, they were very upbeat. Yoga helps to stretch our body which will help them become stronger and more flexible for the game”. She further added that Power yoga is a mix of yoga and movement. According to her, players shall increase their flexibility and get relief from anxiety and stress once they start practicing it. Gargi Banerjee, who is a member of the Apex Council, said, “Our aim is to keep the girls engaged with sports and fitness through various activities during this difficult period. This session is needed to make them mentally strong, increase flexibility, immunity and we will try to continue these sessions in future”.
It has to be noted that CAB has advised all districts and universities from resuming cricket until an SOP, in lines with the guidelines from BCCI, is released. CAB has paid 2 lakh to districts, as an advance, at the start of the season and has allotted 50 thousand more as an ad-hoc advance.
Women, throughout the world, are traditional caregivers and are most likely to be adversely affected by the aftermaths of a pandemic. The step by CAB falls in the right direction and focuses on the mental wellbeing of a vulnerable lot.
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