Anjum Chopra Hails Game Changing Move As ICC Announces Equal Prize Money For Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

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In a groundbreaking move, the ICC announced equal prize money for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, marking a significant milestone for women's cricket. This decision is expected to enhance the visibility and growth of the sport on a global scale, particularly in cricket-enthusiastic nations like India.

In an exclusive interview with MyKhel, Anjum Chopra, former captain of the Indian women's cricket team, shared her insights on the implications of this decision and the evolution of women's cricket.

A Heartening Sign for Women's Cricket

Chopra expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "In itself, it is a big news that same prize money will be of men's and women's. So, obviously with ICC announcing this news, it has become a massive news that we are obviously discussing about it."

She added, "So, it didn't happen before today, it happened today. So, it's a very heartening sign, it's a welcome sign. And it's like an incentive obviously for the women's game as well."

Chopra emphasized the impact this will have, saying, "Obviously, the more people talk about it, the more people know about it. So, impact in all the right way, I'm sure and I hope there will be."

Inspiring Future Generations

Chopra highlighted how this milestone will motivate young girls to consider cricket as a viable career option. She noted, "Incentivizing obviously helps even the young cricketers or the, you know, like parents... young kids who like to play cricket will obviously be incentivized with this move that it's not only domestically but internationally also... this equal pay has come through which obviously creates a career option and a viable option that there is a future in the sport."

She added, "We know when we say that we can make a career out of it... because obviously it ends up in paying our bills as well." To further accelerate the professional development of women cricketers, Chopra suggested increasing match opportunities, stating, "How can it be bettered at the professional level? Obviously, prize money is given to the champion... but to become a champion... the work has to be done the same way as it is done even before the prize money was announced."

Evolution of Support and Infrastructure

Reflecting on her journey, Chopra recalled the significant changes since the BCCI took over the Indian women's cricket team in 2006. "It has obviously been a massive change infrastructure-wise... access to the physios, trainers, NCA, practice facilities, everything is there."

She emphasized the importance of accessible resources for player development, stating, "Today we don't have to... think whether I wanted to practice in Delhi or Bombay... I just had access to all the best of facilities that our cricket board provides."

ICC's Pioneering Role

Chopra acknowledged the ICC's critical role in the advancement of women's cricket, particularly since the merger of the International Women's Cricket Council in 2005.

"ICC has been leading the way and it is absolutely fair to say it is not the member boards who led the way of merging the women's game."

"ICC has been leading the way... it was ICC who led the way and allowed the member boards... to merge with you under the men's cricket board."

"ICC has led the way and now whether it's BCCI taking a leap forward of putting the equal prize money and now ICCI is saying equal prize money. Even in BCCI, I think last year or two years back when our secretary announced that match face will be the same for men and women cricketers. So they did it and now we are doing it as ICC is doing it," she added.

She praised the collaborative efforts of organizations like the BCCI and the ICC in promoting women's cricket, affirming, "It's a very nice thing and a hand in glove and at the end of the day, the women's game gets recognition, focus, attention and the game grows."

With the ICC's commitment to equal prize money, the landscape of women's cricket is poised for transformative growth, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue their dreams on the field.