Renowned business personality Rubaba Dowla, who became a director at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in November last year, has been actively engaged in various aspects of women’s cricket. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan, Rubaba discussed her experiences at the BCB, her vision for women’s cricket, and the challenges faced. Here are the key points from the interview:
The Daily Star (DS): How do you assess your tenure at the BCB so far?
Rubaba Dowla (RD): The past four months have been pivotal. We have focused on enhancing governance structures, establishing formal committees, launching the WBPL (Women’s Bangladesh Premier League), creating detailed planning frameworks, and outlining a clear path for cricket development. I have received tremendous support from the BCB team, and I am thankful for the opportunity to make a contribution at this level.
DS: What measures are you planning to enhance the women’s team’s preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June-July?
RD: We are striving to secure more international matches, organize structured high-performance camps, integrate sports science and fitness, and enhance player experience. Following the women’s BPL, we have a series against Sri Lanka at home and a tri-series in Scotland. The primary objective is to gain exposure and confidence by playing against international teams, especially in conditions similar to those in England, where the World Cup will be held.
DS: Currently, the women’s team is coached entirely by local coaches. Are there plans to bring in foreign coaching staff?
RD: While local coaches have shown results, we are evaluating the need for additional support to better equip the players. We are exploring options to bring in specialized trainers, particularly for areas like batting, based on data-driven decisions within a structured system.
DS: How do you foresee the long-term benefits of the WBPL for women’s cricket?
RD: The WBPL aims to boost match exposure, create financial opportunities, attract international professionals, and enhance the market value of players. Establishing a commercial platform is crucial for the independence and sustainability of women’s cricket.
DS: What has been the response to franchise ownership for the WBPL?
RD: Several parties, including current men’s BPL franchise owners, have expressed interest in owning WBPL franchises. We are in the process of finalizing franchise ownership and discussing potential title sponsorships to establish the WBPL as a recurring tournament that provides a professional career path for female cricketers.
DS: How are you addressing concerns about player payments and integrity in the women’s BPL?
RD: Ensuring credibility and financial stability are top priorities in selecting franchise owners to guarantee player payments. By implementing similar processes as the men’s BPL, such as franchise fees and security deposits, we aim to uphold integrity and financial commitments.
DS: What steps are being taken to strengthen talent development?
RD: We are launching a High-Performance (HP) program for the women’s team, mirroring the men’s HP standards, post-World Cup. Additionally, we are focusing on decentralization, starting with a setup in Sylhet, and expanding opportunities for girls’ cricket at the school level to enhance talent development.
DS: How do you view the inquiry committee’s report on Jahanara Alam’s harassment allegations?
RD: The current board treated the harassment allegations with utmost seriousness, leading to an independent inquiry committee’s formation. Acting on the findings, necessary actions were taken, including banning the accused individual from BCB-affiliated cricket activities. We prioritize accountability, due process, and player safety with zero tolerance for harassment.
DS: You are also heading a new complaint committee. Have there been any complaints received?
RD: We are addressing several harassment cases, with ongoing work on complaints and initiating training on sexual harassment policies for players, officials, and management. A dedicated committee reviews complaints and conducts thorough investigations where required.
DS: What drives you to continue in this voluntary position?
RD: My focus is on creating a positive impact rather than seeking visibility. With a background in working with cricket sponsors, I am committed to supporting female cricketers and ensuring the women’s wing receives equal importance and becomes self-sustainable.
DS: Given the new government, do you anticipate continuing in your role as a National Sports Council nominee?
RD: The decision to continue in this role rests with the appointing authority. Currently, my priority is to ensure the groundwork laid translates into tangible, long-term benefits for women’s cricket.