The Importance of a Women’s Match
Women across the world have had to fight wars for years to be identified as equivalents of men. The first step towards accepting them as equals was granting them civil and political rights and liberties. Most women across all sections and classes now have access to education. Many women also work as professionals in different industries and offices. From handicrafts to governance, women have been doing it all. However, women in sports have been a rather recent phenomenon.
Women’s physiology was not considered compatible with strenuous exercises. Sports like weightlifting, marathons, and cycling were considered inappropriate for women because of the notion that female bodies lack endurance. Though the narrative has changed today for the better. Yet, there are miles to achieve because keeping girls in sports is more than just allowing them to play. Various reports often showcase the amount of entrenched gender inequality in sports. Reports suggest that the enrolment rate in sports at a young age is fairly equal but girls tend to opt out of long-term sports careers. While one in every 10 boys drop out of sports in their late teens, the numbers are as grave as one in 3 for girls.
However, we should be looking at the sunny side of the situation. Everything has to start at a point and we should be happy about the fact that at least change has started. Today, we can make a list of an ample number of women playing tennis, volleyball, badminton, hockey, football, etc. Women’s cricket can be considered a remarkable step in challenging patriarchy nevertheless because cricket was considered to be a gentleman’s game. Women entering the sport have broken stereotypes to a large extent. Let us explore further how women’s cricket matches are benefitting the gender and the world for the better.
- Health Benefits
Women often tend to skip on nutrition and healthy lifestyle due to the socio-economic conditioning they live in. mothers, sisters, wives, etc. are usually expected to sacrifice their health to provide for their male counterparts. Engaging in active sports brings down these chances significantly. Active participation in sports reduces the possibility of non-communicable diseases. Hence, when women’s matches will be promoted, a healthier lifestyle for them will be promoted as well. Governments will spend on their nutrition as well as regular practice sessions if they see a future in them. Parents who are willing to invest in their daughters will promote a similar behavior and so will the other institutions.
- Better Prospects for Disabled People
Women with disabilities have a much brighter future in sports. Besides the basic health benefits mentioned above, disabled women also get opportunities for self-employment. They are benefitted at an individual as well as a collective level. Sports also develop skills such as goal setting and teamwork. The confidence boost they will get through engaging in sports cannot be matched by any other exposure. An ICC cricket tournament, ICC 360, was organized by the international cricket governing body in 2019. It was a physical disability world series played by 5 nations, hosted by England. Though it was meant for men, it leaves hope for better women participation from the disabled section in near future. Local associations in countries like India have been supporting disability cricket for women as well.
- Targets Inequality
Success in sports is a sure-shot way to gain an amicable following and popularity. As a result, it is also a platform through which achievers can speak about various inequalities. Discrimination is both a product and a feature in the sports industry. Those in power have tools to perpetuate evils for others. But it is equally possible to break the shackles of discrimination if someone wishes to do so. John Carlos and Tommie Smith acted in favor of the rights of African Americans in the 1968 Olympics post which they were banned. But the world has become a tolerable space since then. Women in sports can actively engage in voicing the concerns of other women and bringing awareness to their multiple fans and followers.
- Social Empowerment
Sports can serve as a tool for social empowerment. Skills and values like teamwork, negotiation, leadership, and others are earned when people engage in sports. Adolescent girls who will be exposed to such qualities in their life at an early stage have higher chances of being independent and affirmed in their life. They will not be prone to easy exploitation. While it may seem to be a gradual shift, sports women can bring a change in the social fabric of society. They build better networks and engage in community life. This opens up various opportunities not just for them but for others around them too. Freedom to express, participate and move makes girls more confident and aware. Matches are specifically important for them to know where they stand in the competition and what betterment can be done to achieve their goals.
- Challenging Stereotypes
Most societies, at least third-world societies, seem to run on preconceived notions of various kinds of hierarchies. They then manifest in the form of discrimination of which gender discrimination is the most entrenched form. Women’s cricket matches and other sports competitions help break such stereotypes. These prejudices do not just pertain to the physical and Physiological abilities of women. Women were considered to be too fragile to enter the external world as shareholders and decision-makers. Sports help them prove how they can build and sustain communities. Sports inculcate leadership qualities and hence, successful sports women across the globe prove to be good leaders in other fields too.
Wrapping Up
We can hence conclude that sports play a vital role in the lives of women. Matches are a more important aspect of it because they are a sort of certification of success. Practicing a game for 10 years will reap no returns until and unless their abilities are not tested in a competition. Women’s cricket matches play a significant role given that the sport is the second most viewed sport in the world. ICC cricket matches are of significant value due to the same. A dream to play for one’s nation can prove to be significant enough for some people to keep them associated with the game despite difficulties. Hence, matches, women’s matches, in particular, should be promoted.
