Hyderabad girl Mithali Raj is an icon of sorts in the world of sports. And the joy of this articulate cricketer when speaking about the stars from other sporting disciplines, especially from Telugu-speaking States — Humpy Koneru, Sania Nehwal, Saina Mirza, P.V. Sindhu, Harika Dronavalli and Jyothi Surekha to name a few — was pretty discernible, for all obvious reasons.
Ask her the secret behind the stupendous success of women force from the city in sports and she gushes, “It’s really wonderful to see these success stories. Maybe, it has to do with access to facilities. Once women athletes are allowed [to move forward] without any gender bias, the results are bound to be there,” Mithali tells The Hindu in an exclusive chat, after being felicitated at St. John’s Coaching Foundation on the National Sports Day (legendary Dhyan Chand’s birthday) on Wednesday.
“Once we get these facilities, we feel that we are on equal footing. I think this also helps society to not see the difference between male and female athletes. This eventually gives us (athletes) a lot of confidence to use the opportunities,” she says.
Recalling the times when women were not allowed into certain academies meant exclusively for boys, she points out, “But once you get accepted and are trained under the best coaches, these things really help boost your confidence level.”
Coming back to the success of women in sports, she remarks, “I am glad that I am not alone. This is a fabulous group of achievers.I feel proud that they are doing their bit and contributing to women empowerment,” the India captain said, adding that the superwomen will surely have a huge impact on the younger generation since “there are many who are still apprehensive about girls taking up sport despite some positive changes of late”.
Mithali feels more number of parents are now trying to understand the interests and aptitude of their daughters and allowing them to choose a sport of their liking. “Now that is a good sign,” she signs off.
