India’s Women in Sports: From Nari Shakti to Global Kabaddi League
Women in India have made significant progress in sports, breaking barriers in events like the Olympics, Paralympics, Hockey, and Cricket. The Indian government has supported this through initiatives like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. However, exclusive women’s sports still lag behind men’s sports.
Kanthi D Suresh, President of the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA), noted that while the government focuses on women’s sports, support often comes only after female athletes have proven themselves. She emphasized the need for more private sector investment in women’s sports.
Currently, apart from the Women’s Premier League (WPL), there are no exclusive sports leagues for women in India. The upcoming Global Pravasi Women’s Kabaddi League (GPKL) in Haryana aims to change this. The event will feature female Kabaddi players from over 15 countries, with each team having a mix of Indian and international players.
HIPSA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Haryana for worldwide training of women in Kabaddi. The GPKL aims to increase global interest in women’s Kabaddi, with a plan to include players from at least 40 countries over the next 10 years.
Doubts Revealed
Nari Shakti -: Nari Shakti means ‘women power’ in Hindi. It represents the strength and achievements of women.
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam -: This is a government initiative in India aimed at empowering women and recognizing their contributions in various fields.
HIPSA -: HIPSA stands for ‘Heralding Indian Sports and Physical Activities.’ It is an organization that promotes sports in India.
Kanthi D Suresh -: Kanthi D Suresh is a well-known sports journalist and the founder of HIPSA. She advocates for better support for women’s sports in India.
Global Pravasi Women’s Kabaddi League (GPKL) -: This is an international Kabaddi league for women, featuring players from over 15 countries. It aims to promote women’s Kabaddi globally.
Kabaddi -: Kabaddi is a popular team sport in India where players take turns to tag opponents while holding their breath and chanting ‘Kabaddi, Kabaddi.’
