Breaking Barriers: Indian Women Making Waves in Sports

INDIAN WOMEN’S PURSUIT OF A BIGGER ROLE IN SPORTS

1. Which major leagues have boosted women’s sports in India?

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) in cricket, launched in 2023, has been a game-changer. It mirrors the men’s IPL and brought record bids for franchises (₹4,669 crore) and broadcasting rights (₹951 crore). Similarly, the Pro Kabaddi League and Indian Women’s League (IWL) in football have created new opportunities for women athletes.

2. Who are some leading female athletes driving this change?

P.V. Sindhu (Badminton, Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist)
Mary Kom (Boxing, six-time World Champion)
Sakshi Malik (Wrestling, Olympic Bronze medalist)
Mithali Raj (Cricket, highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs)
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain of Indian women’s cricket team)
Rani Rampal (Hockey, led India to Olympic semifinals in Tokyo 2020)

3. What are some important trophies and tournaments for Indian women?

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (India runners-up in 2005, 2017)
Asian Games & Commonwealth Games (medals in wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, and hockey)
BWF World Championships (Sindhu won Gold in 2019)
Women’s Asia Cup (Cricket) – India holds multiple titles

4. How does pay disparity affect women athletes?

While WPL players like Smriti Mandhana fetched ₹3.4 crore in the inaugural auction (the highest), the earnings still lag far behind male cricketers. In other sports, the gap is even wider, with many athletes relying on government schemes like TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) for support.

5. What role does social media and branding play for female athletes?

Athletes like Dutee Chand, Mirabai Chanu, and Shafali Verma use platforms such as Instagram to build personal brands. Sponsorships now come from fitness wear, nutrition companies, and startups targeting women’s health. Smaller influencers in sports also act as brand ambassadors, expanding financial independence.

6. What barriers still restrict women in sports?

Cultural stigma in rural areas prioritizing academics or domestic roles over sports
Limited infrastructure, especially in tier-2 and rural India
Pay gap and fewer endorsements
Early dropouts due to lack of family or institutional support

7. How has India’s international performance shaped women’s sports?

India’s medal hauls by women at the Olympics (2012, 2016, 2020) have inspired a new generation. Wrestlers, weightlifters, and shuttlers have often outperformed men at global stages, forcing policymakers to push for better training facilities and gender inclusivity.

8. Which policies and programs support women athletes in India?

Khelo India Scheme (grassroots talent development)
Sports Authority of India (SAI) academies for women athletes
TOPS Elite Athlete Development funding
Special focus on women’s leagues in cricket, football, and kabaddi

9. What is the future outlook for women’s sports in India?

With leagues like the WPL, increasing private sponsorship, and international achievements, women athletes are expected to gain more recognition. Grassroots programs, role models, and media coverage will further bridge the gender gap.

10. What message are successful women athletes giving to the next generation?

They emphasize resilience, financial independence, and breaking gender barriers early. As Jemimah Rodrigues, a cricketer, said about the WPL: “What holds us back isn’t talent or desire — it’s the barrier that starts too early.”