Meet Akther Jahan Khan, a passionate advocate for cricket and a driving force behind the sport's growth in Europe. Based in Munich, Bavaria (Bayern), Germany, Akther is not only a dedicated board member of the Bayern Cricket Board but also an enthusiastic contributor to the German Cricket Board. With a wealth of experience as a certified and licensed mentor and trainer, Akther has countless success stories under her belt, inspiring players and fans alike.In this podcast episode, we dive into Akther’s journey as she works tirelessly to promote and establish girls and women's cricket. From nurturing young talent to fostering a love for the game in new regions, Akther’s vision and dedication are shaping the future of women's cricket in Germany and beyond. Join us as we explore her inspiring mission to make cricket a beloved sport in Germany!#CricketInEurope #AktherJahanKhan #BayernCricket #GermanCricket #CricketDevelopment #SportsMentor #cricketlover #womenscricket

Dawn Venturas, born in London to Scottish and Greek parents, grew up in Zimbabwe with her twin siblings. A natural athlete, she excelled in multiple sports, particularly field hockey, representing Zimbabwe at U18 and U21 levels. Inspired by Zimbabwe's 1980 Olympic gold-winning hockey team, Dawn pursued a distinguished athletic and coaching career.

After studying in the UK and competing in hockey at the European level, she transitioned to professional coaching, specializing in talent development and special needs. Moving to Dubai in 2008, she founded Coach Sport, the largest female-led sports coaching company in the Middle East, and played an active role in the region's sports scene.

In 2023, Dawn joined Aramco Sports Development, leading initiatives like integrating female swimmers into Al Qadsiah Football Club’s programs. Appointed Head Coach of the Saudi Paralympic Swimming Team in 2024, she guided them to unprecedented success, including historic World Series medals and qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Dawn’s trailblazing career underscores her dedication to breaking barriers and fostering diversity in sports.

Shouq Ahli is a 22 years old United Arab Emirates National Rugby Team Player & Sharjah University. She delves into the growth of women's

شوق أهلي، 22 عامًا، لاعبة فريق الرجبي الوطني في الإمارات العربية المتحدة وطالبة مسعفة في جامعة الشارقة. إنها تتعمق في نمو المرأة الرياضة في الإمارات وحبها للرجبي.

Andrea Kidd is a 38-year-old mom of two from Macedonia, is an online fitness coach based in Dubai for nearly 15 years. A former professional tennis player, her career ended at 17 due to a knee injury. Transitioning from tennis coaching to strength training, she overcame post-natal depression and found her passion in fitness. Andrea competed as a bikini bodybuilder, earning a pro card, and now runs a thriving online business, empowering women worldwide.

Jess is a highly skilled UEFA A Licence Coach with extensive international experience, including roles as Assistant Coach for England's WU15, WU16, and WU23 National Teams. With eight years of dedicated work in the England Women's Talent Pathway, she has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing the next generation of "Future Lionesses," while supporting the development of national team players. Her qualifications include a UEFA A Licence, FA Youth Award, and a BSc (Hons) in Sport, Physical Education & Coaching Science from the University of Birmingham, UK. Jess has held key roles such as FA Talent Technical Coach, Head Coach for the FA National Development Programme, and strategic leader of the Discover My Talent Campaign in the North East of England, contributing to the creation of a high-performing culture within the talent pathway.

Philadelphia Orlando, is a distinguished Kenyan rugby sevens player who has captained the Kenya women’s national rugby sevens team. She competed in both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, representing Kenya on the international stage.

Philadelphia Olando has served as the UAE women's rugby head coach since February 2022, where she leads on-field programs, promotes girls' rugby development, and supports coaching teams within the UAE Rugby Federation. Her leadership aims to strengthen and expand women’s rugby in the region.

Dr Payoshni Mitra, a former badminton player, is a leading athlete rights activist focused on abolishing sex testing policies in women's sports. She collaborates with athletes across Asia and Africa, helping them address human rights violations and communicate with sports governing bodies and stakeholders. Dr. Mitra has actively opposed invasive physical examinations and played a key role in supporting Indian athlete Dutee Chand and South African Olympian Caster Semenya in their legal battles. She has also worked with international human rights organisations, co-authoring a Human Rights Watch report on the discrimination faced by athletes subjected to sex testing, published in December 2020.

Pip Selhi is a passionate entrepreneur, fitness expert, and advocate for wellness. As the founder and owner of SKS Fitness & Nutrition, she has combined her love for fitness and nutrition into a unique business. Her story is one of perseverance, passion, and the drive to create something meaningful that helps others lead healthier lives.

Bassant El Dowaik is a renowned horse riding instructor with 29 years of experience in the equestrian field. She grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, and began her horse riding career at a very young age. Over the years, she achieved podium finishes in numerous competitions, showcasing her skill and dedication. For the past 16 years, Bassant has been sharing her expertise as an instructor, inspiring and training many riders. Her long-standing commitment to the sport has made her a respected figure in the equestrian community. بسنت الدويك هي مدربة ركوب خيول مشهورة تتمتع بخبرة 29 عامًا في مجال الفروسية. نشأت في الإسكندرية، مصر، وبدأت حياتها المهنية في ركوب الخيل في سن مبكرة جدًا. وعلى مر السنين، صعدت على منصة التتويج في العديد من المسابقات، مما أظهر مهارتها وتفانيها. على مدى السنوات الـ 16 الماضية، شاركت بسنت خبرتها كمدربة، وألهمت ودربت العديد من الدراجين. إن التزامها الطويل الأمد بهذه الرياضة جعلها شخصية محترمة في مجتمع الفروسية.

Hollie is the Founder of Heroes of Hope, a non profit organisation to develop sporting, social and interpersonal skills for People of Determination (PODs). It the largest Sports Academy for children and young adults with special needs in the UAE, offering over 18 versatile sports, health and fitness programs and events each week, including Cycling, Tennis, Triathlon, Padel, Crossfit, Functional Fitness, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics and Gymnastics. Hollie is also a member of the united Arab Emirates Women s Rugby team, as well as a SEN and Inclusion educator, a qualified CrossFit and SEN swimming coach.

Sara Lise Harris is an Ironman and Oceanman open water swimming coach and British certified cycling coach as well as the author of "My Meno Bod". She likes to approach training as a holistic journey to improve ability, agility and strength. Her aim is to improve performance, body relationships and well-being in menopausal women.