Why Women’s Sports Deserve More Screens and Support

India has no shortage of female sports stars. P.V. Sindhu, Mary Kom, and Harmanpreet Kaur have all shown the world what Indian women can do. But despite their achievements, the spotlight still mostly falls on male athletes.

Most stadiums are fuller for men’s matches. Prime-time slots are reserved for them. And the advertising money? That follows the men’s leagues.

What Movies Show, Reality Confirms

In Chak De! India, the national women’s hockey team had to fight for everything — respect, time on the field, and attention. The movie struck a chord. But not much has changed in real life.

Even today, women athletes get fewer practice hours. Facilities are often second-rate. And coaches don’t always treat girls’ teams with the same seriousness.

Talent Gets Lost in the System

There are thousands of girls with potential across India. Some play cricket in narrow lanes. Others run barefoot at school events. But many of them don’t make it to the next level.Why?
Because of poor infrastructure. Because of safety concerns. Because families aren’t always supportive and sometimes, because there’s no one telling them — you can make it.

Media Coverage Matters

We saw what Dangal did for wrestling. For a few months, people discussed the sport at length. Young girls signed up at local akharas. That’s the power of visibility.

But we need more than one-off stories. Most sports channels don’t air women’s matches in key slots. If they do, it’s usually just the finals.

If broadcasters show every league, every game, audiences will follow. Interest builds from repetition.

Signs of Change Are Visible

The 2024 Women’s Premier League wasn’t just a tournament. It was a message. Fans watched. Jerseys sold out. Viewership records were set.

Players like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma became household names. Their sixes trended on social media. Schools and colleges celebrated them.

People are paying attention. Now, we need to keep it going.

Brands Need to Do More

Some companies are getting it right. Nike featured Deepika Kumari. Puma signed up several women athletes. But more brands must come forward.

Athletes need steady income. Sponsorships help with training, gear, and travel. And endorsements bring respect.

When girls see women athletes on hoardings or in ads, they start believing — this could be me.

Pay Gaps Still Hurt

One of the biggest differences is in pay. Male cricketers often earn crores per year. Women, even at the national level, earn less.

In King Richard, the story of Venus and Serena Williams, we saw the struggle for fair prize money. It’s not just a Western issue. Indian athletes face it too.

Equal work deserves equal pay. Period.

What Can Be Done?

Schools should support girls’ teams just as much.  Local tournaments should include women’s categories. Fans should follow women’s leagues actively. The media should highlight these athletes regularly.

Support from every level — government, private, and personal — is what will change the game.

Not Just for Girls, But for Everyone

This is not just about equality. It’s about opportunity. About tapping into half the nation’s talent pool.

More women in sports means more medals, more pride, more dreams realized.

Time to Cheer Louder

We shouldn’t wait for another biopic to remind us of women’s strength. They’re already out there, sweating it out, waiting for our cheers.

Watch their games. Talk about them. Post about them. That’s how change begins — with attention.

Every match watched is a message: We see you. We support you.