Dreams to make it big in sports crash as parents worry for girl child’s safety

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: World-recognised wrestlers have filed two FIRs against BJP MP Brij Bhushan, but no action has been taken yet. The wrestlers who won medals for the country face mistreatment and detention, while the man entrusted with their safety and allegedly compromised it remains free. The central government's support for the accused MP is surprising. The protesting wrestlers demand justice and aim to prevent future injustice.

They assert that such incidents have been happening for years, and many girls lack the courage to immediately speak up. The central government's silence on the injustice faced by the country's champions has drawn condemnation from activists. This situation raises concerns about women's participation in sports.

A 2022 report by the Karnataka State Sports Council reveals that only 20 per cent of registered athletes in Bengaluru are women, despite comprising over 50 per cent of the city's population. With the ongoing events involving wrestlers, there is a genuine fear of setbacks in women's sports participation. Gender disparity in Indian sports is influenced by safety concerns, cultural attitudes, lack of facilities, and scarce role models.

The recent events have increased parents' apprehension about their daughters pursuing sports as a career. The lack of action and indifference from the government and officials exacerbate these concerns. As a result, many aspiring girls are giving up on their sports dreams, impacting India's international sports representation.