Photo courtesy: IANS
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which is observed on Wednesday, is eagerly anticipated by women cricketers from Kerala and those who are training to become one. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s administration will honour Minnu Mani, who made history by becoming the first woman cricketer from Kerala to represent India.
Every year on August 9, the global indigenous population’s rights are celebrated on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
Mani will be honoured by Vijayan in a special event hosted by the Keralan government.
Advertisement
Mani, 23, a member of the Kurichiya tribe from Choyimoola in Wayanad, was chosen to represent India in the T20I match against Bangladesh last month and had a respectable debut.
Mani is an all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-handed.
Mani’s mother is a housewife, while her father works as a labourer.
Advertisement
She caught everyone off guard when Delhi Capitals auctioned off her name for Rs 30 lakh for the inaugural women’s premier league.
In addition, a popular intersection in Wayanad, where she was born and raised, was named after her shortly after the Kerala government honoured her.
The Manathavady area’s Mysore Junction has been renamed Minnu Mani Junction.
Niketha Ramankutty, Mani’s team manager and a South Indian selector, remarked that her selection for the national team undoubtedly gave current players and a number of others who are eager for an opportunity to shine more confidence.
“The Kerala government is leading from the front and am excited that she will be honoured for her achievement. This is what any player or budding player wants as this will give an impetus to all to work hard. Special thanks to BCCI and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) who are doing everything to promote women’s cricket. The KCA has already started to promote new tournaments for women and the first one will begin very soon,” said Ramankutty.
-IANS
Advertisement
