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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Cricket’s Quiet Crusader

Former kca Selection Chief who helped nurture a generation of women cricketers when the sport struggled for recognition Niketha Ramankutty A prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, Niketha Ramankutty — former Chairperson of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Women’s Selection Committee and Manager of the Kerala State women’s teams — has long championed the game, especially when women’s cricket had little platform in her home state. Her dedication helped nurture girls taking to cricket...

Cricket’s Quiet Crusader

Former kca Selection Chief who helped nurture a generation of women cricketers when the sport struggled for recognition Niketha Ramankutty A prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, Niketha Ramankutty — former Chairperson of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Women’s Selection Committee and Manager of the Kerala State women’s teams — has long championed the game, especially when women’s cricket had little platform in her home state. Her dedication helped nurture girls taking to cricket in Kerala. During her tenure, which ended recently, five players from the state went on to represent India, while three now feature in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Niketha’s journey began in 1995 on modest grounds and rough pitches in the blazing sun of her native Thrissur. At the time, girls aspiring to play cricket often drew curious stares or disapproving glances. This was despite Kerala producing some of India’s finest female athletes, including P.T. Usha, Shiny Wilson, Anju Bobby George, K.M. Beenamol and Tintu Luka. “Those were the days when women’s cricket did not attract packed stadiums, prime-time television coverage, lucrative contracts or celebrity status. Thankfully, the BCCI has taken progressive steps, including equal pay for the senior women’s team and launching the WPL. These have brought greater visibility, professional avenues and financial security for women cricketers,” Niketha said during a chat with  The Perfect Voice  in Pune. With better infrastructure, stronger domestic competitions and greater junior-level exposure, she believes the future of women’s cricket in India is bright and encourages more girls to pursue the sport seriously. Humble Beginnings Niketha began playing informal matches in neighbourhood kalisthalams (playgrounds) and school competitions before realising cricket was her true calling. Coaches who noticed her composure encouraged her to pursue the game seriously. More than flamboyance, she brought reliability and quiet determination to the turf — qualities every captain values when a match hangs in the balance. These traits helped her rise through the ranks and become a key figure in Kerala’s women’s cricket structure. “She was like a gentle messiah for the players. During demanding moments, they could rely on her – whether to stabilise an innings or lift team spirit,” recalled a former colleague. Guiding Youngsters Her involvement came when women’s cricket in many states struggled even for basic facilities. Matches were rarely covered by the media, and limited travel or training arrangements often tested players’ patience. “As a mother of two daughters—Namradha, 18, and Nivedya, 14—I could understand the emotions of the young girls in the teams. Guiding players through difficult phases and helping them overcome failures gave me the greatest satisfaction,” she said. Niketha — an English Literature graduate with a master’s in Tourism Management — believes success in sport demands not only skill but also sacrifice. Strong parental support and encouragement from her husband, Vinoth Kumar, an engineer, helped her overcome many challenges. Never one to seek the spotlight, she let her performances speak for themselves, earning respect on the national circuit. Quiet Legacy Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. Young girls are more ambitious, parents more supportive, and cricket is seen as a viable career with opportunities in coaching, umpiring, team management, sports analysis and allied fields. Players like Niketha have quietly strengthened the sport. Their journeys show that some victories are not won under stadium floodlights, but by determined women who simply refused to stop playing.

Pakistan-Russia Relations Enter New Phase

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Pakistan-Russia

Pakistan and Russia are warming up bilateral ties. Credit goes to Indian authorities for beautifully maintaining the relationship between Washington and Moscow. India’s excellent relationship with two archrivals Russia and the US, has provided much-needed courage to Pakistani authorities to follow suit.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk met with Pakistani officials in Islamabad in a bid to deepen economic ties and expand cooperation “across multiple sectors” as Moscow grapples with U.S. and EU economic sanctions over its war against Ukraine.

Overchuk’s visit comes after two days of meetings between John Bass, U.S. acting undersecretary of state for political affairs, and Pakistani army chief General Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.

During a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart earlier this week in Islamabad, Dar revealed that discussions centred on expanding economic ties between the two countries. Islamabad is abuzz with the speculation that Russians are helping Pakistan to build a steel mill. If true, it is going to be an excellent step in the revival of Moscow-Islamabad ties.

Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Russia reached an unprecedented $1 billion last year. The countries are committed to expanding trade ties by addressing logistical and related issues. Officials familiar with the development in the Pakistan-Russia bilateral relationship are optimistic that the two sides can enhance the volume of bilateral trade from one billion US dollars to $5 billion in a few years. In fact, India’s bid to maintain an excellent relationship with arch-rivals Russia and the US has given Pakistan much confidence to follow suit. However, it is not an easy task for Islamabad to follow the Indian path. Islamabad may lose its biggest economic partner like the US if it goes ahead to develop ties with Russia.

According to officials familiar with the development, Pakistan and Russia are expanding ties in many fields, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases. However, sanctions against Russia restrict cooperation between the two countries. Can Pakistan still go forward to enhance bilateral ties with Russia? It’s a million-dollar question.

Pakistan views Russia as an important player in West, South, and Central Asia. Authorities in Islamabad aim to work with Moscow toward peace and stability in Afghanistan. However, it will not be an easy task for Islamabad, as Washington can be a silent spectator. Pakistan may face the wrath of going ahead with Russian plans in Afghanistan.

Also, Pakistan’s army media wing said in a statement on Wednesday that Russia’s Overchuk spoke with General Syed Asim Munir, chief of the army staff (COAS), in Rawalpindi.

Analysts say the Russian deputy prime minister’s visit and the expansion of cooperation show Moscow is expanding its influence in the region.

“In my view, a vacuum has emerged after the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, and Russia is positioning itself to fill that void. China is also making efforts in this direction. As a result, Pakistan is working under this policy framework to improve its relations with regional countries, including Russia,” Professor Manzoor Afridi, a Pakistani academic on international relations, told VOA.

Analysts on Pakistan’s foreign policy and geopolitics believe that the US may not react until warming ties in the Russia-Pakistan bilateral relationship focus primarily on enhancing trade, strengthening diplomatic relations, and developing infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. However, the United States may react sharply if Pakistan-Russia ties go beyond that threshold. The US has restricted certain aspects of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, while tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated. In this context, Pakistan’s relationship with Russia holds significance.

Pakistan received its first shipment of Russian liquefied petroleum gas in 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the possibility of liquefied natural gas supplies earlier in July on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit at Astana, Kazakhstan.

Pakistan’s bid to warm its ties with Washington is a welcome step. However, Islamabad has to pay a heavy price in case of cosying up with Russia. It may have to lose an economic partner like the US. Can Pakistan afford to lose a partner like the US? It’s a million-dollar question.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Islamabad. Views personal.)

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