changeadminRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might not have won a single IPL tournament, but they have won hearts for many years.
Every year, RCB boys become the proponent of environment, sustainability, and waste management. Climate change, pollution, and global warming are not a country or a government problem; they impact each of us. Hence the responsibility to solve the problem should also come from every individual.
The story is beyond symbolism; RCB, one of the most popular franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been supporting the green cause from 2010 onwards. Every year, one of their matches is called ‘Green Match,’ where the team wears a green colored jersey instead of the routine red and black (The t-shirt which the team time wore was made with recycled plastic).
In the 2019 edition of IPL, the Green Match focused on waste segregation, recycling, and keeping the stadium litter free. Through social media accounts and other marketing activities, RCB promoted these causes. The fans were encouraged to upload photos and videos of cleaning surroundings on their recently launched mobile app in return for some rewards.
Imagine a stadium left with no trace of litter. Fans clean up after themselves and dispose trash in the right dustbin before leaving. Together we can make this a reality. Let’s make a #CleanSweep for a clean, green, sustainable environment. #BattingForThePlanet #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/ucUfZL86wp
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) April 7, 2019
RCB has been a pioneer in social initiatives among all IPL teams. They started this initiative from the 3rd edition of the IPL in 2010 and have continued bringing awareness to be environmental and sustainable development issues. Some of the social causes they have advocated are to –
- Encourage the fans to do carpooling to reach the stadium.
- Facilitate bus transport for their fans in collaboration with the city transport system.
- Segregate waste at the stadium – placing different garbage bins.
- Exchange saplings between captains and also promoting plants as gifts
- Auction of player’s jersey – the proceeds go to fund tree plantation
- Propagate greenery through campaigns in Bengaluru
- Pledge for a greener tomorrow and encourage fans to take the oath on social media platforms
These initiatives have particular importance and wide acceptability because they are led by athletes and cricketers who have a massive following among a large section of people. Whether the fan is a 10-year-old or 70 years adult, the admiration for sports personalities cuts across age and gender.
Players like Virat Kohli (associated with RCB since its inception) and other domestic and international players are household names. When they share their thoughts, millions have their eyes and ears to it. In 2019, keeping up with the tradition of the Green Match, the captain of RCB, Virat Kohli, exchanged plant saplings with the captain of Delhi Capitals, Shreyas Iyer.
In the 2023 IPL edition, they introduced a special cheer squad, a band that plays music during RCB matches with trash-made instruments.
Here is a video where the players share some messages about energy saving, recycling, reusing, water saving, etc.
Wrapping Up
Being at the forefront of these causes has given RCB many firsts. In 2012, RCB became the first cricket team in the world to become Carbon Neutral. In 2013, it became World’s first carbon-positive cricket team. The home team stadium – Chinnaswamy stadium, became the first stadium in the country to be entirely powered by solar energy.
Whether they can solve the challenge of winning the trophy someday, they are well on track to tackle one of the serious global challenges.
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