British High Commissioner at final England-Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket T20

Friday, 29 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says UK encourages recognition of high value of women’s and girls’ sports

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris met with Sri Lanka Women and England Women cricket captains before the final of the 3-match England-Sri Lanka T20 series, on Thursday 28 March, at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium.

The High Commissioner took the opportunity to congratulate both captains, Chamari Atapattu and Heather Knight, on a successful series in Sri Lanka and expressed the hope that women and girls’ sport would continue to grow in both countries. Speaking to young aspiring female cricketers enjoying the match, the High Commissioner commended them for wanting to push boundaries and their ambition to challenge gender stereotypes that often overshadow women’s competitive sports.

The High Commissioner noted that promoting women’s full participation in public life, including elite sports was not just the right thing to do - it was the smart thing to do economically and socially, and he looked forward to the day when sporting success for women was celebrated as energetically as in men’s sport.

He also commented on the importance of improving the representation of women on the governing bodies of sports and in sports journalism.