Looking for a space

From the five-time world champion Mary Kom to the recently crowned world number one shuttler Saina Nehwal, India can be proud of women luminaries in the field of sports.

Many Indian sportswomen have succeeded on international platforms, be it tennis, badminton or swimming, often outperforming men.

However, the climb to the top has been a tough one for them, especially in a cricket-crazy country which continues to neglect diversified sports and sportswomen.

In such a scenario, youngsters in the City spell out their views on why women sportswomen don’t get the place they deserve and what needs to be done.

Welcome change

Aamir Shariff, a BBM student from CMR Institute of Management Studies, says that an increase in specialised centres, coaches and corporate sponsorship will help women take up sports. “A lot of women who go into sports professionally drop out mid-way because of the lack of support. These days, however, there are parents who allow their daughters in sporting activities. Therefore, coaches and coaching facilities should also increase.”

Priorities differ

Heidi, a journalism student from Kristu Jayanti College, says, “Indian society still has a traditional mindset and traditional expectations from women.      This perception affects
both parents and children. Also, in our country, teams seem to get more
attention than the individual. People are still crying over the Indian cricket team’s loss at the World Cup but Saina Nehwal’s achievement is rarely talked about.”

Inspiring lives

Eline, a journalism student from Kristu Jayanti College, says that movies and books about sportswomen help people understand their achievements. “Mary Kom was known in India only after she bagged a bronze in the Olympics but the movie ran over a number of houseful shows right after its release. There are many books on male icons such as David Beckham or Sachin Tendulkar because people feel that books on male stars sell well.”

Right connect

Yasir, a second-year engineering student from CMR Institute of Technology says that sports, especially the lesser known ones such as wrestling and archery, should be encouraged from school level and at summer camps. “Sports have to be pursued seriously and talent should be spotted and encouraged. Personalities and brands should also promote sports and their icons so that they touch the masses. Today, we mainly have male stars promoting sports and taking money for it, especially cricketers. Bollywood’s biggest names have been hyping up the IPL for months now while Sania Mirza’s win in the Miami Open is hardly talked about.”

Gender bias

Purvi, a first-year BBM student of Mount Carmel College, feels that in this country, a gender bias exists in terms of payment. “Many women struggle to make a living even when they take up sports professionally.  In India, one can’t make a living out of a sport if it’s not cricket and for a woman, it is twice as hard. The pay in each sports too differs; be it tennis, hockey or athletics. There are many examples of women who have outshone men like PT Usha or Nisha Millet.”