Female Warriors Not In Battle?
The conundrum of girls’ participation in sporting events at NIT-T.
It was her first year in college. Being a national level football player herself during schooldays, Roshani was eager to get inducted into the college team. The inductions came to an end for the boys. And what should’ve been news came to Roshani as a surprise.
“So when is it for girls?”
“There are no inductions for the girls.”
“Why so?”
“Because we don't have a girls' team.”
Roshani was flabbergasted.
After 4 years of persuasion, perseverance and plodding through, NIT-T finally had a girls’ football team. But that was only one of the many goals that Roshani had planned to score. Another big obstacle that confronted her dreams and needed tackling was the problem of participation.
Even when there is a plethora of opportunities unfolding, girls are hesitant to join sports. All the games one played in childhood suddenly become reserved for men. A niche where the brute prevails. Some corner of the mind still whispers, “No, it isn’t meant for you.” This is one driving factor behind the scanty girl-participation in team-sport like football. It required the will and the gut of someone like Roshani to moot girls in asking themselves the ground-breaking question, “Why can’t I?”
Upon examining the reasons why girls generally restrain themselves from some selected sport, we find that it isn’t entirely their fault. The very first step of signing up for it is the most daunting task. A general tendency is to remain on trodden paths. Stepping into a game you don’t know about seems unsettling. Yet, one can’t ignore the thoughts that pass by in a girl’s mind regarding her image in the society. That leads us to the conundrum — do they stop because of their own will or is the society forcing them to?
Extending it further, is this happening here, at NIT-T? Let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth!
Although girls participation is a considerable number overall, it is never close to the guys numbers. It is inclined more towards shorter distances. Girls must be encouraged to break the barrier of fear. There is no bond like the ones you form with your teammates and fellow players — one born out of blood, sweat and tears.
That’s what Sruthi Vijayakumar, an athlete from the Athletics team of NIT-T says. In sport like Athletics, girls tend to restrain themselves in the more rigorous events. As rightly pointed out, it’s the shackles of fear that restrains them and needs to be broken.
Workshops can be organized by Sportsfete with the help of the basketball team so that girls can get over their hesitation of not participating because they are not exposed enough to the sport.
— Sunanda Seshan, the Girls Basketball Captain. There’s this fear of falling down because you don’t know the terrain you trod on. To get more at ease with the sport and making it less unnerving, workshops are ideal training grounds.
I just want to tell them to participate. Only when you participate will you be able to find your own niche , the sport you excel in. I fall, cry over falling, understand what I did wrong and then get up to face the next obstacle. These are the qualities that help me survive not only in the game of Football but also in the game of life.
That was Roshani, the Girls Football Captain who was astounded back then! As put accurately, you never know until you try. Let’s hear it from more team-captains:
We’re willing to induct anyone who is sincere and dedicated. Sportsfete is something I have been passionate about. It is also the perfect time to bond with seniors. Having been told that there will be 300 girls or so this year, we all expected even more participation from girls. Sadly, it wasn’t even close to last year. Everyone seems to be thinking only about academics and tech clubs. I do understand they are important, but what fun and amazing memories will they have 4 years later?
— Srinidhi Chirravuri, the Volleyball Vice Captain
Girls' participation in kho-kho this year is quite better than last year. There are girls who want to learn and improve, who are honest and dedicated towards the game and to their department. Matches are going to be really interesting and all of us are really excited to see new talents. Their efforts are in no way less than the effort boys put. Is winning of a boy or a girl different?
— Ankita, the Kho-Kho Captain
Boys who know the sport should encourage and teach girls. Girls should try new games without worrying about the induction process.
— Charumathi MS, the Table Tennis Captain
Girls should come out of their comfort zone, learn and play various sports. Sportsfete is a very good opportunity for girls to explore new games. As we have regular practice for different sports, they can learn new games and get to know something that interests them.
— Apurwa Rahulkar, the Handball captain
And the list goes on. While the captains strive hard to bring in new blood into their teams, earnestly wishing for participation from the girls’ side, girl participation still seems slender.
Maybe if they have a peek at how things feel when they’re playing, they won’t be as hesitant. Just imagine playing in the ground with cool breeze whistling past your ears; the sense of belonging in the family; the close, everlasting friendships formed; the joy and thrill of winning; the adrenaline rush and the sense of freedom that follows. Feel that moment when you bring points to your department, playing a crucial role in winning the cup. Something that’s worth enduring physical exhaustion or pain. Something unparalleled.
Sportsfete and the Sports Contingent places a humble request to all the girls on campus. Engage in sports and practice laboriously. Give your best shot. Floor the college with your courage and determination.
It's time we started a new legacy in NIT-T. A legacy where we are truly proud of our sports team, be it the girls’ or the boys’. When we hear news of sweet victories in inter-college tournaments and competitions, our minds shouldn’t go to just the boys teams.
This article was written in collaboration with SuryaNarayan, Ambika Kannu and Bavesh Rajaraman.
