Explore the RFA’s detailed account of this narrative in the Tibetan language.

A milestone in the history of cricket has been set by a 19-year-old Tibetan girl, who has become the first female from her community to penetrate the fiercely competitive Indian state-level cricket.

Jetsun Narbu has successfully made her mark in the all-female Mumbai Cricket Association, which is considered the leading team at the state level. Her ultimate ambition is to be a part of the Indian national team.

Hailing from Mumbai with Indian citizenship, Narbu expressed to Radio Free Asia her aspiration to utilize her status to promote Tibetan identity and culture globally.

“My dream is to represent India while also bringing focus to my Tibetan roots through cricket,” she said. “Achieving this as a Tibetan cricketer would be nothing short of a dream come true.”

The strides made by Narbu in cricket are noteworthy, not only for her as an athlete, but also for the Tibetan community residing in India.

Cricket is a sport that resonates deeply with Indians. It bridges gaps across ages and backgrounds, with matches taking place in bustling city streets and rural village lanes alike.

Origins of Passion

Narbu’s fascination with cricket took root during her early years, when she saw her father engrossed in a televised match featuring female players. This portrayal of women participating in a sport typically dominated by men inspired her to pursue her dream of becoming a cricketer.

With the encouragement of her father, Narbu Chee, she commenced her cricket training at the tender age of 13.

With Indian coaches’ guidance and robust family support, Narbu honed her athletic skills by participating in several tournaments, including Under-19 and T20 competitions, representing different teams at the state and national level.

In 2021, Narbu represented the northeastern state of Sikkim during the Women’s Senior One-Day Trophy and the T-20 Women’s Senior Tournament. By 2023, she found herself playing for Mumbai in the national T20 and under-19 ODI tournaments.

Alongside her sports career, Narbu is a finance student at Jai Hind College, Mumbai. She aspires to secure a job in investment banking, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.

Cultural Identity

Despite her Tibetan roots, Narbu stated that she has not faced ethnicity-based discrimination, although she has occasionally caught the curious eyes of Indians, presumably due to her distinct facial features.

“In sports, your skill and dedication should be the primary focus, not your ethnicity or background,” she affirmed, emphasizing the importance of merit over identity.

However, her ambitious journey is not without obstacles.

Being one of the few Tibetan women visible in the sport, Narbu is carving her path with minimal precedents, a process she describes as both intimidating and empowering.

“No matter the sport, concentrate on your training and dedication,” she advised. “Through sports, we can not only display our talents but also highlight the culture and cause of Tibet.”

Additional contribution by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Translation by Dawa Dolma. Editing by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.