Girl Rising’s Rise Premier League finale celebrates young leaders taking the field as equals

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh : The cricket field in Bilaspur has become a classroom of a different kind. Over the past two months, girls and boys from government schools across Bilha Block have batted, bowled, captained, strategised and competed

together, putting into practice the confidence, leadership, teamwork and equality they have been building through Girl Rising’s RISE programme.

Today, the Rise Premier League (RPL), Organised by Girl Rising India Foundation, in partnership with the Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research, and supported by the HP Foundation, culminated with team Daganiya ke Dhurandhar (GHSS Daganiya) emerging as champions, while Bhadi ke Blasters ( GHSS Bhadi) finished as runners-up. Rajni Kewat (Daganiya ke Dhurandhar) & Danish Sahu ( Bhadi ke Blasters) were named Player of the Match, with Shalini Yadav (GHSS Daganiya) & Lucky Sahu (GHSS Bhadi) also recognised as Players of the Tournament. The finale brought together players, teachers, parents, community members and local leaders to celebrate a season of girls and boys playing, competing and leading as equals. Across the league, 68 young players took the field in mixed-gender teams, putting their RISE skills into action.

The league was created as an extension of Girl Rising’s RISE curriculum, which uses 30 interactive sessions to help adolescents develop social-emotional and 21st-century skills including storytelling, leadership, communication, gender equality, digital and AI skills, financial literacy and climate awareness. The programme is currently reaching more than 3,800 students across 12 government schools in Bilha Block in collaboration with the District Education Office.

The connection between the classroom and the field has come alive in the way girls have stepped up to lead across teams. Himani Yadav led Bhadi ke Blasters through an unbeaten league stage, while Mayank Dhiwar scored 54 runs across three matches. For Daganiya ke Dhurandhar, Shilpa Suryavanshi led her team’s comeback after an opening loss, winning their next two matches to reach the final, while Rajni Kewat delivered a standout performance, helping secure a win after all the boys were dismissed.

The boys have shown the same spirit of teamwork and allyship. Nagesh Verma made an early impact with five wickets and 20 runs. Together, these moments show the RISE skills in action: young people stepping up, backing each other, adapting under pressure and playing as equals.

The RPL was inspired by Kusum’s Adventurous Innings, Girl Rising’s comic book about a girl challenging the belief that cricket is “not for girls.” Each participating student received a copy of the comic, bringing Kusum’s story and its message of courage, confidence and possibility into their hands; after a mixed-gender match on International Day of the Girl last year sparked overwhelming enthusiasm, the RPL was born.

“From our first match to the final, this journey has been full of learning, challenges, and unforgettable moments. Every teammate supported me and stood by me through every decision. As captain, I learned the value of trust, teamwork, and leadership. Winning the RISE Premier League is a proud moment for all of us. This victory belongs to every player who gave their best and believed in our team. Together, we proved what we can achieve when we stand united.” – Shilpa Suryavanshi, Winning Team Captain, Daganiya ke Dhurandhar, RISE Premier League

Speaking about the culmination of the league, Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO, Girl Rising India Foundation, said: “The Rise Premier League has been a phenomenal experience for both players and spectators, and a powerful demonstration of what the RISE curriculum is designed to build. We have seen girls step up as captains, make decisions and showcase their skills, while boys have shown teamwork, respect and a real spirit of playing together. Girls have shown that they belong on the field and in every space they choose to be.

Together, girls and boys demonstrated what can unfold when they support and encourage

each other, both in the classroom and beyond. This is why opportunities like RPL matter…they turn skills like confidence, leadership, teamwork and respect into lived experience, helping young people become future-ready. And what better place to start than through sport?”

“The National Education Policy 2020 asks us to see sports, life skills and academics as connected, with no hard lines between learning inside and outside the classroom. RISE is bringing this idea to life in our government schools. Our teachers lead the sessions in class, students build these skills, and the RISE Premier League gives them a platform to put those skills into practice in front of their families and community. When parents and community members cheer for girls and boys playing as equals, that message travels across the district. Programs like RISE help build an environment in our region where every child, and especially every girl, has the chance to reach their full potential.” – Mr. Bhupendra Kaushik, Block Education officer, Bilha Block, Bilaspur

“The RISE Premier League is much more than a sporting event. It is a powerful platform for nurturing leadership, teamwork, equality and a sense of shared responsibility among young people. It gives girls the opportunity to step forward, showcase their talent and lead with confidence. At the same time, it encourages boys to embrace the values of respect, inclusion and equal participation. Through sport, students develop essential life skills such as confidence, communication, collaboration and mutual respect… skills that extend far beyond the cricket field. These experiences lay the foundation for a more inclusive society rooted in gender equality.” – Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Chairperson, Samarpit Centre for Poverty Alleviation and Social Research

The RPL is envisioned as an annual league, with plans to expand to more schools and children, creating more opportunities to turn RISE skills into confidence and action.

Girl Rising India works with adolescents, particularly girls, across government schools and communities to equip them with the social-emotional skills needed to thrive in education, work and life. Over the past decade, the organisation has reached more than 600,000 adolescents, 36,000 teachers and 27,000 parents. During this current academic year alone, the organisation is working with over 60,000 adolescents and 1,200 teachers across Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.