While in T20 games the focus is on the players. No doubt cheer girls are the ones that provide entertainment for the crowd with their dance during commercial breaks and when boundaries are hit or wickets get out.
In Indian Premier League, every team has their own cheerleaders. It all seems glamours from a distance, but it’s not actually the case.
Here are some unknown facts about cheerleaders:
– by James Kuanal
1. Stuff thrown at them which they don’t like
The cheerleaders sometimes have stuff thrown at them. It includes water bottles, coins, popcorn buckets, and even cold drink bottles. They have learned to ignore them.
2. Staring
Many in the audience make kissy faces towards them. The ogling and staring take place very often. The girls say that they are seen as sex objects.
3. Racism
Many of the cheerleaders are white. They say that it relates to racism as only foreign-based cheerleaders are hired and not Indian women.
4. They cannot talk to cricketers
The cheer girls are often ignored by the cricketers. They in itself are not allowed to meet the cricketers. The only place where they get to meet cricketers is during commercial shoots.
5. Some are well-educated
Some of the girls are graduates. One of the cheerleaders said that she was a graduate in Anthropology during one of the IPL seasons.
6. Costumes
They don’t even like the costumes. The costumes are very tight and shiny causing itching problems. They also have to wear short clothes.
7. Improper facilities
They don’t even get fancy hotels. They are not provided 5-star hotels, in fact, they are rested in 3-star hotels.
– by James Kuanal