Lucknow, India: During WPL, not only was the UP Warriorz team showcasing skills on the field, but they were also championing causes off it. The franchise took impactful initiatives beyond cricket to promote women’s empowerment and girls’ education, paving the way for a brighter future for women in sports and beyond.
On International Women’s Day, the day of their final home match in Lucknow, UP Warriorz created WPL history by executing the first-ever jersey swap of the tournament. The team swapped their yellow and purple jerseys for the rani pink playing kit, paying tribute to the iconic freedom fighter Rani Lakshmi Bai and celebrating women who continuously break barriers and challenge stereotypes.
Girls’ education is a cause deeply rooted in UP Warriorz’ culture, and they pledge to continue their focus on it through their partners in Uttar Pradesh and beyond. They hosted 635 young girls to experience live cricket at the WPL in partnership with Educate Girls and have pledged their backing towards facilitating girls’ education. The partnership has already supported 4,000 women, and UP Warriorz will continue to support Educate Girls in their mission to bring 10 million girls back to education by 2035.
To promote the Educate Girls initiative and create awareness, during the toss, UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma and Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana exchanged a plaque that read ‘Her Education, Our Promise.’
In collaboration with All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association (AIACA) and with support from Capri Foundation, UP Warriorz also announced a brand-new off-field collection of clothing and merchandise, capturing the essence of ‘Fiery Yet Feminine.’ The goal was to support women artisans in the region and give indigenous craft the much-required recognition through the WPL.
The collection showcased a diverse range of apparel and accessories designed and crafted by women artisans from Uttar Pradesh. It included a Polo Shirt, Sweatshirt, Jacket, Buttons, T-shirt, and bracelets featuring beadwork done by more than 100 artisans from Uttar Pradesh, the home of the UP Warriorz.
Taking inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of their home state, the collection featured motifs that symbolize the strength, grace, and unwavering spirit that women embody. The kits also celebrated the state’s craftsmanship by featuring traditional embroidery techniques like Zardozi, and Chikankari, aiming to promote and preserve various crafting techniques and support women artisans from the region.
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