“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” – Nelson Mandela
Research on sports, gender, and development shows that participating in sports can benefit girls and women by building self-esteem, challenging gender stereotypes, providing opportunities for leadership, enhancing health and well-being.
The England women’s cricket team are currently playing the Pakistan women’s cricket team in Malaysia. England’s Captain Heather Knight took part in the Women’s Aid Organisation session to deliver empowerment through sport session in Malaysia.
Sport can be one of the great drivers of gender equality, by teaching women and girls the values of teamwork, self-reliance, and resilience. It can provide girls with social connections and a refuge from violence in their homes and communities, and help them to understand their bodies and build confidence.
Heather Knight said: “It’s been a really brilliant morning. It’s so important to organize events like this and to try and use our position to help people, especially young girls. Sport has been a huge part of my life and I know from experience that it can be really beneficial.”
“The girls seemed to love it, we played a game and had a bit of a chat about teamwork, self-confidence, and resilience.”
“When I grew up I watched a lot of men’s sport and it wasn’t until I got a bit older that I learned there was an England Women’s cricket team so it’s important to make sure young girls know there is the opportunity for them to pursue the sport.”
“Many of these girls may never play cricket again but they’ve had very different experiences compared to us and playing cricket or chatting to us about professional sport may get them thinking about taking part in more sport or joining a club, and that’s great.”
Source: Sky Sports
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