Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lankan legend and Rajasthan Royals’ Director of Cricket, welcomed the team’s special #PinkPromise initiative, symbolising the Royals’ pledge to support women-led transformation in rural Rajasthan and in India.
As part of the #PinkPromise initiative, the Rajasthan Royals team will don a special all-pink jersey for its Indian Premier League 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 6 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
The kit was unveiled by Sangakkara, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, an Olympic medal-winning shooter and Hon’ble Sports Minister (Government of Rajasthan), Rajasthan Royals Chairperson Ranjit Barthakur and Rajasthan Royals Chief Executive Officer Jake Lush McCrum on Tuesday.
“Wonderful initiative,” the Sri Lankan icon went on to add on social media later. “Spent a day with the Royal Rajasthan Foundation seeing first-hand how they enable empowered women in Rajasthan. What we do on the field has a tangible impact on the lives of others.”
Wonderful initiative. Spent a day with Royal Rajasthan Foundation seeing first hand how they enable empowered women in Rajasthan. What we do on the field has a tangible impact on the lives of others. @rajasthanroyals https://t.co/3RTbKGlymD
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 13, 2024
The #PinkPromise match aims to amplify the Rajasthan Royals’ support to the inspirational and empowered women from rural India and is an extension of the Royal Rajasthan Foundation’s overarching vision of 'Aurat Hai Toh Bharat Hai'. The Foundation is the IPL team’s social equity arm.
Proceeds from the sale of all-pink Royals' jerseys will go to the Foundation, ensuring the continuity of impactful initiatives. In the lead-up to the #PinkPromise match, the franchise will also organize various activities to raise awareness about the Foundation's transformative work in rural Rajasthan.
“We are proud to be donning these special threads which pay tribute to the powerful women of Rajasthan and of India. It will be a great occasion to celebrate the efforts of our Foundation and to salute the women who are making a difference on ground. All the players and the staff are looking forward to donning these threads and putting in their best on the field to mark the occasion,” Kumar Sangakkara said during the unveiling ceremony.
On April 06, we’re wearing a special jersey for one #PinkPromise. Here’s why! 💗👇 pic.twitter.com/CBXKHAPLDn
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 12, 2024
The Royal Rajasthan Foundation has inspired action from empowered women who are breaking barriers to lead positive change.
The Royals aim to create replicable models of women-led transformation which facilitate access to water, solar energy, upskilling and mental health interventions.
Under its flagship Project Khushaali, along with other programmes, the Foundation has successfully impacted the lives of more than 15 million women since its inception through direct and awareness-driven interventions.
During the #PinkPromise kit unveiling ceremony, Sangakkara and Col. Rathore felicitated special women who are driving significant, transformational change in rural Rajasthan with support from the Foundation. The duo also extended the first invitation to the women to attend the #PinkPromise match through an exclusive Pink Pass.