We at RevSportz have always prided ourselves on being able to do proper on-ground reportage. That’s where you can make a difference. That’s what we did for the Women’s World Cup as well. Trisha Ghosal and Snehasis Mukherjee started their journey on September 12, with the India-Australia bilateral series. Trisha covered it and was then joined by Snehasis in Guwahati on September 24. I remember asking them, “Do you want to finish the pujas and travel?” The two of them did not take time to say, “We will be there in Guwahati ahead of the team and be ready.” In fact, they landed in Guwahati before the Indian team and have been there all through – Guwahati, Colombo, Vizag, Indore and, now, Navi Mumbai.
I can say with a lot of satisfaction that Trisha and Snehasis attended every training session and every press conference. Asked the right questions and reported with passion. We were justly critical at times and will continue to be. But never did we stop being there. Even when Smriti Mandhana was practicing alone indoors or Harmanpreet Kaur was practising with tiles by herself in Indore, Trisha and Snehasis turned up. They were often the only journalists to turn up for practice sessions. And here, a word of appreciation for the BCCI media is in order. They were hugely helpful in giving the information and helping out. It made a difference to the reportage. The very same applies to the ICC media team, who helped at every stage.
Today, the World Cup will come to an end. If India win, there should be a parade and the two of them will cover that as well. If not, they will be back in Kolkata tomorrow. For them, it was an incredible experience and I expect them to be better journalists at the end of the tour. For us to be able to do it means a lot. Return on investment in the women’s game is still nowhere close to the men’s. So the money spent will not be recovered. But then, does it matter? We cover the Paralympics with equal verve knowing that we will not recover the money spent. Journalism was never about money per se.
My message to them is simple. A home World Cup final is a real rarity. Win or lose, enjoy the moment. Soak it in and be there. We all hope India will win and make history, and you will report on it. But even if that doesn’t happen, you will be richer for what you did in the last 42 days.
I am proud of the work done and proud of the way the backend team supported them both. This is more so because our reporters are also in Australia, Goa for the Super Cup and for the Chess World Cup. Seven people on ground at the same time isn’t easy to manage for a start-up. And yet, that’s the joy. Giving people opportunities and making a difference to sport. Yesterday, two of our viewers asked me on the show: “Boria da, what about those who have only turned up for the final? Is that fair?” I said I would leave that ball outside the off stump. We don’t decide for others. We decide for RevSportz. Well done, Trisha and Snehasis, and the entire team.
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