The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Women’s Wing is planning to appoint eight former women cricketers as mentors across the country’s eight divisions as part of its grassroots development programme.
Among those whose names have emerged within the Women’s Wing are former Bangladesh captain Rumana Ahmed and former national cricketer Reshma Akter Aduri.
“Many former women cricketers have shown strong interest in this initiative. Among them are Rumana, Aduri and many others,” a BCB official told Times of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity.
When contacted, former leg spinner Rumana said she had not been officially informed about the initiative and was not interested in taking up a mentor’s role.
Rumana, who represented Bangladesh in 50 WODI’s and 87 WT20I’s said, “Nothing has been officially shared with us. We’ve only heard that mentors will be appointed, but we don’t know who they’ll choose. As for my name being mentioned, I’m not really interested in taking on a mentor’s role.”
However, Women’s Wing chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu said the programme remains under discussion, with the proposal expected to be placed for approval at the next board meeting.
“We have decided to seek the board’s approval. Many former cricketers are interested in working on this project. This initiative has been taken to identify talented girls from every division and district,” Babu told Times.
He added that the mentors’ remuneration would also be finalised after board approval.
“It will be approved at the upcoming board meeting, after which their salaries will be determined. The salary structure will also require the board’s approval,” he said.
The Women’s Wing is yet to hold discussions with the former cricketers over the proposed appointments, with talks expected to begin only after the proposal receives board approval.
Rumana believes the board should consult the former players before including their names in the process. “They should also ask the former players whether they are willing to take on such roles. Simply writing down people’s names on their own does not mean those individuals will agree to do it,” she said.
