Q.Give your outlook on participation of Indian women in sports.

The participation of Indian women in sports has historically been low, but the picture is slowly changing. The core issue is that Indian sport remains male-dominated, with deep-rooted gender inequality acting as a barrier.

Several factors explain this. First, social discrimination confines many women to domestic roles like cooking and child-rearing, leaving little room for sport. Second, safety concerns are a major deterrent—parents often discourage daughters due to unsafe roads, fields, and a lack of secure sports complexes. Third, poor spectator interest and media coverage mean women’s events get far less attention, reducing incentives. Fourth, many women lack adequate fitness because home responsibilities leave little time for exercise, and nutritious food is often insufficient. Fifth, there is a lack of awareness in families, where sport is wrongly seen as a non-rewarding career that develops "masculine" traits or affects conception. Finally, government policies have historically been less women-centric, with lesser funding and fewer scholarships. …

The story of Indian women in sports is not just about medals or records — it is a story of breaking centuries-old chains. For a long time, the playing field was not level; in fact, for most women, there was no playing field at all. Indian sport remains male-dominated, and gender inequality persists as a stubborn reality. To understand why so few women have entered competitive sports, and why those who do face an uphill battle, we must look at the web of social, cultural, and practical obstacles that surround them.

The first and most powerful barrier is social discrimination. From a young age, girls are often confined to the home — their world shrinks to cooking, cleaning, and rearing children. A daughter who wants to run, jump, or throw a ball is seen as stepping outside her “proper” role. This mindset is not just a relic of the past; it continues to shape decisions in countless families today. When a girl’s primary identity is that of a future homemaker, sport becomes an indulgence, not a priority.

Closely tied to this is the issue of safety. Parents who might otherwise support their daughter’s athletic ambitions are often deeply worried about her physical security. Fields, roads, and public transport can feel unsafe, and many neighbourhoods lack safe, well-lit sports complexes where a girl can train without fear. This fear is not irrational — it reflects real dangers — and it leads many families to simply say “no” to outdoor practice or travel for competitions. The result is that even talented girls are kept off the field.

Another quiet but powerful barrier is poor spectator interest and media coverage. Women’s sporting events receive far less airtime, fewer sponsors, and smaller audiences than men’s events. When the public does not watch, broadcasters do not invest, and when broadcasters do not invest, the entire ecosystem — from coaching to prize money — remains underfunded. This creates a vicious cycle: low visibility leads to low investment, which leads to low participation, which reinforces the idea that women’s sport is not worth watching.

A fourth factor is the lack of adequate fitness and nutrition among girls. Because many are expected to shoulder domestic responsibilities from an early age, they have little time or energy for physical activity. Even when they do find time, their diet may not provide the calories, protein, or micronutrients needed for athletic development. In households where resources are scarce, the son’s protein intake is often prioritised over the daughter’s. A girl cannot build the stamina of an athlete on a diet of leftovers and limited meals.

Then there is the deeper issue of awareness — or rather, the lack of it — within families. Many parents genuinely believe that sport is a non-rewarding career for a woman. They worry that athletic training will develop “masculine” traits, or that it will affect a girl’s ability to conceive later in life. These are myths, but they are powerful myths, passed down through generations. In a society where a daughter’s marriageability is still a central concern, any activity seen as threatening that future is quickly discouraged. …