Sport was an integral part of human life since the time of ancient Greek civilizations where Philosophers like Plato had placed ample importance to sports Vis a Vis academics. A sport in 21st century has gained paramount importance in human life. It can be said, that it act as an antidote in the life of a human being. A sport today is not just a thing of recreation but it has broken out of its shell encompassing various aspects of human life. Sports today has gone to bring about cultures and nations together, it has also been used as a tool of foreign policy and it has also become a medium of women empowerment. The basic thrust of Sports is to inculcate competitive nature among the players and to bring unity the unification and integration in the life of human beings but attitudes of sports and the sports world is always biased against sports women.
Gender in sports has always been a controversial issue ever since sports was invented. In the early years, sports were played only by the men, and the women were to sit on the sidelines and watch. This was another area of life exemplifying the sexism of people in which women were not allowed to do something that men could. Women have faced an uphill task throughout the history of sports whether it is to be able to compete in sports, to attend equal funding for programs, to have access to facilities, or a number of obstacles that have been thrown in their way.
Though today the perception about sportswomen has changed substantially but the stigma of being considered the weaker sex always remain. Gender issue is one of the important issue because of which India is still lacking behind as compared to other countries. Researches and studies have always suggested that participation in sport can be energizing and personally empowering experience for women. Being connected to sports a women always feels physically and mentally stronger, more competent and more in control of her life as an independent individual. Sports participation also provides girls and women with opportunities to reconnect with the power of their own bodies.
Post Contributed By:
Shakti Sharma
Indian institute of Legal Studies
