Sana Mir to receive Asia Game Changers Award

Pakistan’s former women cricket team captain Sana Mir will receive Asia Game Changers Award next month in New York. The award is being given by the prestigious Asia Society.

According to the statement from the Asia Society, “Asia Society is honouring Sana Mir, recognized as one of the world’s greatest cricket players and former captain of Pakistan’s national team, who has championed women’s participation in this male-dominated sports”.

“Our 2019 Asia Game Changers are women who have truly championed gender equality while making enormous contributions to society and social structures within their home countries. They are inspiring agents of change who are building a better world — for women and for everyone — by changing the rules, changing the game, and challenging all of us to follow their lead.” Asia Society President and CEO Josette Sheeran said.

Sana Mir has been selected for this prestigious award for excelling at one of the world’s most popular sports and inspiring millions of girls — on and off the field, says Asia Society website.

“In a country where many women still struggle for basic rights, Mir’s success has been a lodestar. Unwilling to simply rest on her laurels, Mir is an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, working to change attitudes about women’s participation in the traditionally male-dominated sport of cricket — and beyond.”

“An avid social media user who is followed by hundreds of thousands, Mir employs her platform to advocate for everything from compulsory cricket programs for schoolgirls to an end to the body-shaming advertisement,” it added.

Mir insists “any girl in Pakistan who puts in hard work and is true to the game can do that in any sport”, Asia Society added.

The Asia Society annually honours game-changing leaders from all over the world belonging to various backgrounds; this year marks the first time that all of the honorees are women.

The award ceremony will be held in New York City on October 24, 2019.