History was made in Malé on Wednesday, 22nd May, when Fathimath Kinanath Ismail, Shamma Ali and Mariyam Kinana Ismail became the first all-woman’s team to umpire and score a senior men’s cricket match in Maldives.
*Left to right: Shamma, Kinana & Kinanath
The trio officiated the final group match of the 2019 MILO Ramadan Cricket Carnival OFFICE Tournament, between Club Immigration and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment.
Kinanth was told of the news on the day of the final, and was elated. ‘We go out there to umpire. Not to get a final appointment, but to be a part of a team, to be involved in the game,” she told CBM Officials.
‘It’s really to do with the camaraderie of cricket all the way through. Right from my own team – Malé Women’s Cricket – as well as parents and family, without whose support there’s no way I’d be here today.”
For the Cricket Board of Maldives, It’s about breaking down barriers, creating awareness so more females can come into the role. Throughout the Maldives the number of women officials has risen from zero in 2015 to just one in 2016 and 6 in 2017 and 8 in 2018.
*Shamma and Kinanath pictured with Mohamed Aflah, President – Cricket Board of Maldives
2019 has seen a Level One Umpiring Course completed in Malé that is continuing to produce match officials year in year out demonstrating the development initiatives of the CBM.
‘We are thrilled to be the first all-woman’s team to stand in a men’s senior match and how far we have come as officials,” said the 3 friends. ‘It really is important to promote women umpires and scorers and there’s no reason why females can’t umpire and officiate in cricket. It’s about breaking down barriers, creating awareness so more females can come into the role.”
CBM President Mr Mohamed Aflah spoke enthusiastically about increasing women’s participation in all aspects of cricket and passed his congratulations to Kinanath, Kinana and Shama for this fantastic achievement of becoming the first all-woman’s team to stand in a men’s senior match.
‘It is thoroughly deserved and a result of their hard work and perseverance. They are role models for women who want to get into officiating, and proves how successful they can be once they are on the right path and get the opportunities.’
For more information about getting involved in cricket, either as a player, coach or match official, please contact 332 5503 – Cricket Board of Maldives.
