2026: Girl Rising's RISE Premier League Transforms Rural Cricket

30 SEC SUMMARY

In 2026, Girl Rising launched the RISE Premier League, a groundbreaking cricket tournament in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, promoting gender equality and life skills through mixed-gender teams. The initiative, part of the RISE education programme, aims to empower adolescents with social-emotional learning and 21st-century skills.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. The Story of Girl Rising
3. The Comic Book That Sparked a Revolution
4. What It Looked Like on the Field
5. Beyond the Field
6. Key Highlights
7. FAQ Section
8. Conclusion
9. Call-to-Action

Introduction

On August 11, 2026, around 300 people gathered at the Government Higher Secondary School, Bhadi, in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, for a cricket match that broke new ground—a mixed-gender tournament where girls and boys played together as equals. This was the opening match of the RISE Premier League (RPL) organised by non-profit Girl Rising as part of its flagship RISE education programme.

The Story of Girl Rising

Sixteen years ago, a group of filmmakers came together to tell nine stories of nine girls around the world navigating a difficult path to education. It came after Oprah Winfrey asked them what single subject could help break the cycle of global poverty.

“They did a lot of research, spoke to a lot of NGOs, and everything pointed towards investing in girls’ education—because if we did that, we could really take the cycle of poverty within one generation,” says Nidhi Shukla, Co-CEO of Girl Rising.

Narrated by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and other prominent voices, it became an unexpected global phenomenon. The film reached India in 2016 and, localised in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was called Girl Rising: Woh Padegi, Woh Udegi.

The Comic Book That Sparked a Revolution

In the middle of it all, a comic book became the unlikely spark for the RISE Premier League. Stories gathered from different projects and communities slowly came together to create Kusum’s Adventurous Innings, a comic book whose central character, Kusum, dreams of becoming a cricketer.

The comic was never meant to be just about cricket. Through Kusum and the other characters, it explores the stereotypes and challenges children face every day—from the idea that cricket is a “gentleman’s game” to expectations about what girls and boys should and shouldn't do. Themes such as menstrual health, adolescent health, and climate change weave through the story, making the comic both entertaining and educational.

What It Looked Like on the Field

Himani Yadav, a Class 12 student of GHSS Bhadi and captain of Bhadi Ke Blasters, had never captained a team before. It was also her first time playing in a mixed-gender cricket match. During the match, Himani communicated with her teammates, made decisions about bowling changes, and tried to keep the team’s energy up. Her team batted first and scored 75 runs. When they took the field to bowl, she focused on what she could control: encouraging her players and sticking to the strategy.

As part of the RISE programme this year, Himani has begun learning about social-emotional learning, gender equality, and key life skills.

Beyond the Field

For Girl Rising, strong partnerships on the ground are critical to ensuring that such programmes can continue beyond a single event. HP, which is partnering with the league, has been a long-standing partner, and that continuity matters, says Nidhi.

Community-based organisations are equally important, particularly in places where trust has already been established.

Key Highlights

• Girl Rising's RISE Premier League promotes gender equality and life skills through mixed-gender cricket.
• The initiative aims to empower adolescents with social-emotional learning and 21st-century skills.
• The comic book Kusum’s Adventurous Innings inspired the league and addresses various social issues.

FAQ Section

What is the RISE Premier League?

The RISE Premier League is a cricket tournament organised by Girl Rising to promote gender equality and life skills through mixed-gender teams.

How does the comic book relate to the league?

The comic book Kusum’s Adventurous Innings inspired the league and addresses various social issues, making it both entertaining and educational.

What skills are adolescents learning through the RISE programme?

Adolescents are learning social-emotional learning, gender equality, digital literacy, financial literacy, and climate awareness.

Conclusion

In 2026, Girl Rising's RISE Premier League has made a significant impact on rural cricket, promoting gender equality and life skills through mixed-gender teams. The initiative aims to continue growing and evolving, ensuring long-term benefits for the participants and the community.

Call-to-Action

Discover more about Girl Rising's initiatives and how you can support their mission at blogy.in.