The rise of women in sports has been nothing short of remarkable. Female athletes have shattered barriers, set records, and proved time and time again that gender is not a determining factor when it comes to athletic ability. From table tennis superstar Bhavinaben Patel to badminton phenom PV Sindhu, women have dominated traditionally sports, inspiring millions of young girls around the world to pursue their dreams.
However, it’s not just these household names who are making waves. Women across various sports are breaking records, winning championships, and making history. Take Mirabai Chanu for instance. By winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s 49 kg Weightlifting event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a twenty-seven-year-old prodigy wrote history after lifting 202 kilograms in total.
Women are also making strides in combat sports, with fighters like Mary Kom and Karnam Malleswari becoming world champions in their respective fields.
Breaking Barriers in Coaching and Leadership
While women have been excelling as athletes, they are also breaking barriers in coaching and leadership roles in the sports world. Get ready to be amazed by the career of these former India cricketers! Anju Jain has played a whopping 8 tests and 65 ODIs for India, and her greatest feat is having participated in four consecutive World Cups.
Not only that, but she also made her mark as a coach, taking over from another former cricketer Sudha Shah and leading the Indian Women’s Team from 2011 to 2013.
These women have not only paved the way for other female coaches but have also proven that gender should not be a factor when it comes to leadership roles in sports.
With more women in leadership roles, the industry can better reflect the diverse talent that exists within it while bringing more perspective to the sports industry.
The Fight for Equal Pay
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took a massive leap towards gender equality by ensuring that male and female international cricketers are paid equal match fees. This momentous decision was made on October 27, 2022, marking a significant shift from the sizable pay gap that existed between the two genders in Indian cricket.
The BCCI’s decision is a game-changer, and now, female cricket players will be compensated the same as their male counterparts. Brace yourself for these jaw-dropping numbers: a Test match will now earn players 15 lakhs, an ODI will fetch 6 lakhs, and a T20I will pay out 3 lakhs. Celebrating this milestone, Indian women’s team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur said,”Thank you, BCCI and Jay Shah… I am sure now, a lot of cricketers in India will take up cricket as a professional career,”.
Paving the Way for Inclusion In Society
Sania Mirza, the most prominent sporting legend in India, held the top spot in the women’s doubles division for a staggering 91 weeks in a row. Not just that, she has won a remarkable six major championships, making her the first and only female Indian tennis player to achieve this feat. To add to her impressive list of achievements, she is the only female tennis player from India to crack the top 100 singles rankings and one of just two Indians to win a WTA title.
And her accolades don’t stop there – she’s also been awarded the Padma Shri and the Arjuna. With her incredible achievements, Sania has inspired countless women to chase their dreams and prove their mettle. In a bittersweet moment, Sania Mirza ended her groundbreaking tennis career in March 2023, where it all began. These athletes, and many others, are using their influence to bring attention to important social issues and advocate for change.
Beyond activism, women athletes are also promoting diversity and inclusion through their performance on the field and inspiring other women who dream of becoming great athletes but can’t find any future in it.
