Cheerleaders add spice to Bangalore cricket extravaganza
By IANSFriday, October 9, 2009
BANGALORE - They are lively, bubbly and full of panache and cricket fans of Bangalore are enjoying every bit of their presence.
As Airtel Champions League T20 cricket championship kicked off here Thursday, The White Mischief Gals, the only official cheerleading group for the entire tournament, added a good dose of entertainment, along with cricketing action at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.
“The girls are here to interact with spectators and cheer the cricketers in their moment of glory,” said Ashok Capoor, deputy president of United Spirits Thursday.
The cheerleader team consists of 14 members from the US. After Bangalore, they will travel to Hyderabad and New Delhi, the other two venues of the tournament.
“Our aim is to make the whole event quite exciting and bring new things for cricket fans of India,” said choreographer Elizabeth Rifino.
The popular cheerleader group has performed at several American sports events such as the National Basketball League and the National Football League.
It’s not only the fans whom they are entertaining. The cheerleaders are enjoying every bit of Bangalore by shopping and a little bit of partying.
“Bangalore is a beautiful place, and so are its people. I have shopped a lot and am enjoying every bit of Bangalore’s weather and food,” said Christina Gekas, a member of the team.
“I love the weather here. People are very friendly. Although we are here for work, but the stint is proving to be a nice vacation for us too,” said Cheryl Obryan, another member.
Although a few cricket fans feel that the introduction of cheerleaders is a bit distracting for both cricketers and fans, the rest are game for it.
“Many people complain that cheerleaders wear provocative clothes and makes vulgar moves. But I find no vulgarity. They just add spice into cricket, when at times tension builds up on the cricket field,” said Ronan Sen, a cricket fan.
Echoing Sen, college-goer Mandip Singh said cheerleading was serious business.
“It’s new to India, so people have reservations. Cheerleaders have to keep the spectators glued to the cricket field all the time, even when cricketers fail to deliver their best,” said Mandip.
