Sania for change of attitude towards women in sports

Image
Press Trust of India Bhubaneswar
Last Updated : Oct 27 2013 | 7:00 PM IST
Noting that being a woman celebrity is the hardest task in India, ace tennis player Sania Mirza today called for change in attitude among the people and asked sportswomen to stand up and fight for themselves.
"I think being a woman celebrity is the hardest thing in India.... People will ask many things, what you wear, how you speak, when you will have a baby and other things," Sania said while participating in a talk show here.
Speaking on 'Women in sports, the way ahead', Sania asked women sportspersons to look beyond small things and first change their own attitude.
"When a woman wants to do something on her own way, she is criticised, dubbed as a rebel."
"I (too) was stated an arrogant. However, I stuck to my guns and today I am at this place. We have to fight in order to move forward in this men's world," Sania said.
Advising women sportspersons not to pay any heed to such criticism, she stressed on the need for change in the attitude of individuals, media and nation at large for the growth and development of women in sports.
Mentioning how everybody talked about the cricketers of both India and Australia when their ODI was washed away due to rains in Cuttack, she said, "I have never seen anybody writing about the same thing in any women sports."
"People used to ask me when I will have a baby. But, they do not ask the same question to my husband (Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik)," Sania said.
Stating that she was born in a family of two girls, Sania said she has never felt like other girls in the sports.
"Attitude needs to change," she said calling upon parents to support their daughters in order to allow them to grow in their own way.
Replying to a question on moral policing in sports, Sania said: "As I came to lime light, media asked me many questions. A lot many moral policing.. Wear this, wear that, why a T-shirt. Everybody has the right to form their opinions and I have the right to ignore them.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 27 2013 | 7:00 PM IST

Next Story