21 May,2009 08:00 AM IST | | Sanjjeev K Samyal
How cheerleaders are coping with the cool climes at night in South Africa
They are part of the star attractions in the entertainment package of the Indian Premier League, but you don't want to be in their shoes at the moment.
The freezing temperature has made cheerleading one of the toughest jobs at the event.
While the rest of the crowd is loaded with winter wear, the pretty faces are performing out in the open dressed in only mini skirts and vests.
We were ready for this. The energy builds in the stadium by night and with that we get heated.
We don't really mind the weather because we are driven," said Haily Bennett and Angelica Christelis, who were cheering for the Delhi Daredevils at the Wanderers here on Tuesday.
When you tell them that they are not being generous with the truth, Haily admitted: "Well spotted."
On Tuesday, Johannesburg was 5 degrees and it was one of the warmer nights in Johannesburg.
So, how's it to see everyone wearing jackets and monkey caps while you are out there in the cold? "Now and then we feel envious that everyone is warm and snug, but we love what we are doing and we don't mind the conditions," said Angelica.
When reminded that even the players are struggling, Haily said: "They were struggling more in Bloemfontein, the temperatures were incredibly cold there last week.
As we are getting closer into winter, it's definitely getting colder, so we might have to eat our words. We are freezing tonight but we are here to lift the spirit of the game.
"We have to put the weather factor out of our minds just like the players and we are here to do a job."
Tough times
It's not easy to beat the cold. "There are three girls on each podium, and if we start feeling really cold then we sit together, stay nice and close together, but generally we don't get much time as we are dancing and cheering for our teams," Haily said.
The cheerleaders are looking to the cricketers for inspiration. "Mentally it's not as tough as the cricketers. It's amazing what they do.
They catch the ball when their hands are freezing. They hit fours and sixes; take wickets. We have an easier job than the cricketers."
Though it doesn't make their job any easier, the experience of dealing with colder conditions helps a bit. "One of our sponsors are doing a 'We can't wait' campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and we have ended up doing a lot of things outdoors.
"Also, rugby in South Africa is a winter sport, so when we cheer for rugby, which quite a lot of us do, it's pretty nippy out there and sometimes we are wearing even less than what we are wearing now.
When you are a dancer you have to prepare for everything. You have to be healthy and fit, make sure you don't fall sick so that you can do your job properly," said Angelica.
Dancing can be fun, but we are not sure if it has been so at the IPL here.
Watch it, girls
Centurion
Thursday and Friday night: 6 degrees celsius
(Centurion will host B'lore vs Deccan d/n on Thursday and the first semi-final on Friday)
JOHANNESBURG
Saturday and Sunday night: 5 and 6 degrees celsius respectively.
(J'burg will host the second semi-final on Saturday and the final on Sunday)
