Girls, rather women, have always been taught to remain loyal to their husbands. This is being done in the name of chivalry where men consider themselves superior to women.
However, things are slowly changing. Even though women are still being chastised to do the blue collar jobs in India, girls have take a leap ahead in sports and are considered on par with men in some disciplines. Girls have now been inducted into the Indian Army from 1992 and will be able to join the National Defence Academy this year. India’s first astronaut to space was a Indian-origin lady Kalpana Chawla. The world has seen so many players who have outlived their male counterpart in so many sports. The State of Goa has also seen so many women donning the National and International jerseys.
Here are the views of some prominent women who have contributed towards sports.
“Women of different cultures, ethnicities and religions have different restraints, when it comes to sports participation. Especially in India where women are expected to prioritize family or domestic responsibility, it becomes difficult to stay in sports. But if you have the right kind of support from your partner or family it becomes much easier to stay in sports.”
–Sandhya Melasheemi, a triple gold medallist at Masters Nationals and bronze at World championship
“Success in life comes to those who simply refuse to give up. I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all. Every sport is hard to master but the beginning is what counts. Indeed, what can be better than learning a bit of the game you could one day be good at? The passion for the sport and the dedication to reach the pinnacle is the ultimate driving force behind me. At this juncture of my career am looking out for support on financial assistance to help me alleviate the costs associated with attending state, national and international tournaments.”
–Tanisha Crasto, International badminton player
“It would be relatively easy to stay in sports if you manage your time properly and if you have adequate and necessary facilities made available to you. Rugby as a sport is considered a gentleman’s game but thankfully in today’s day and age women have been breaking stereotypes and standing up for what’s right which in turn sets a path for the coming generations of women.”
–Chanel Crizzle, International Rugby player
“It’s neither too easy nor too difficult to stay in any kind of sports. It’s important that you put in the required hard work, dedication and have patience in any sports that you are part of. Sometimes the women players are taken for granted and not respected as the men. Every footballer faces some kind of difficulty depending on their situation but I was blessed to have a supporting father who always supported me in playing football.”
–Khushboo Saundatikar, FC Goa football player
“It isn’t difficult to stay in sports but maintaining your fitness levels and form is what is challenging. Yes it can be difficult for women, especially with cycling because it’s an expensive sport and very technical, also racing is dangerous so many women don’t take it up bcoz of that.”
–Dr Blanche Themudo, State cycling champ and National cyclist
“I believe sports is very important arena and especially women sports wherein we witnessed massive transformation over past several decades but still there is huge ground to cover in further upliftment of women sports. We at Vedanta sports are committed to identify and nurture aspiring women sportsperson from various geographies across the country. Vedanta women’s league is one of the important initiatives to provide footballing platform to aspiring women footballers from Goa and our endeavour is to expand the reach of our women sports development initiative manifold ensuring massive participation from women in our various other initiatives”
–Leena Verenkar, Group CSR Head, Vedanta
“It’s not easy task but one has to do it. Irrespective of the circumstances, today women are taking the challenges and it’s good to see them coming forward. As a CEO of a football club, I still face a lot of issues. Women are not taken seriously. When we speak and put forth ideas, the men the society thinks we know everything and take things differently, since football is a men’s game they say. However, by God’s grace, I are blessed with a dad who doesn’t discriminate on the basis of gender and he is the wind beneath by wings.”
–Valanka Alemao, CEO Churchill Brothers FC Goa
“Well, it goes without saying; Life in an atmosphere of equality is quite easy but life in a life situation of extremes is rather a difficult one. One is merely judged on who holds the fort a male or female and not necessarily on one’s abilities and capabilities. Given the situation of today especially by women achieving much higher levels of success (most often been kept on a low tone especially in our own country)it’s highly motivating to take up challenges and stand against the tide. Be it in the field of sports or as an administrator one needs to conceptualise and garner energy for the greater service of humankind.”
–Natty Vaz, President, Sporting Clube de Goa
