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Sabah Khan, the captain of this unique all-girls team, recalls how their journey of change began, "Around 2011, a bunch of us were approached by the NGO Magic Bus that uses sports as a means to help poor children lead a better life. They wanted to teach football to both girls and boys but we told them that in Mumbra Muslim girls cannot take up a sport let alone play alongside boys. That's when they decided to exclusively train girls who were keen to try out something they had only dreamt of." The target was to put together a group of 40 girls but that was easier said than done. "Most of us hail from families that struggle to make ends meet. We can never really spare time for fun and games. We study, chip in at home or work. That's why we were unable to personally go to motivate girls to join in. However, some of us decided to make pamphlets and distribute them outside girls' schools and colleges. Apart from that we also approached the local wing of the Maharashtra Mahila Parishad that works with several self help groups to see if any of their members would be interested in sending their girls for this programme. In this way, we managed to build a team," elaborates Sabah. The next challenge was to find a ground to practice on. "We went to every school and college in the vicinity that had a ground to find out whether they would allow us to play for two hours every Sunday. Unfortunately, no one was agreeable," shares the articulate leader. It was a member of the Mahila Parishad, who spoke to a board member of a temple trust to secure permission for using the open space around it for playing. At the outset, the girls decided to call their team 'Parcham'. Aquila, one of the founding members, narrates the story behind it, "We decided to call ourselves 'Parcham' as we are inspired by Asrar ul Haq Majaz, better known as Majaz Lakhnawi. Through his romantic, revolutionary verses, Majaz urged women to look at the hijab not as a barrier but as a flag or banner. He has written: 'Tere maathe pe ye aanchal bauhat hi khoob hai, lekin tu is aanchal se ik parcham bana leti to achcha tha… (The veil covering your head and face is beautiful, but if you make a flag out of it, it would be better)'. We, too, have transformed something that many see as a sign of repression into a symbol of revolution." Through sports Parcham strives to build a just and equal society that is respectful of diversity and celebrates difference and interdependence. Their mission is to empower marginalised communities to access their fundamental rights, creating spaces for dialogue among diverse sections of society. "And our one great achievement has been getting official recognition for our struggle to get a playground for the girls," says Aquila. Last year, after they started a massive signature campaign with the support of 900 girls from across Mumbra, their demand for a ground was finally acknowledged. Female students from various schools, under the leadership of Parcham, wrote a joint letter stating: "We wish to play football and other sports. We believe that through sports we also come together in unity, forgetting our religious and other differences." When they met with MLA Jeetendra Awhad he was amazed to see this strength of association. He told them that it was perhaps for the first time that 900 girls had got together to ask for a playground to be reserved for them. He also assured them of their very own space to play. "That promise was fulfilled and the football-loving girls of Mumbra are now able to practice freely. Moreover, the move gave a boost to our campaign that motivates girls and women to reclaim open spaces," states Aquila. Their dedicated practice sessions have fetched Parcham some rich rewards. They have won two major local tournaments - one in November 2013 and another in March 2014. Of course, if the struggles of the group have been remarkable, then so are their individual journeys. Take the case of Saadia Bano (name changed). "When I had first heard about Parcham I immediately wanted to be a part of it. However, I did not have the courage to speak to my parents. I am not allowed to move from home without a 'hijab', so imagine them allowing me to play football! Initially, I used to step out every Sunday telling them that I was going to visit some friend. Then one day when I took my brother's T-shirt to wear for a tournament my mother immediately suspected that I was doing something without telling them. When she confronted me I had to confess to her and my sister." Saadia's brothers still have no inkling. "After I won a trophy at a tournament I told them that it was a friend's. There are many like me who cannot yet be completely honest with all their family members. We don't want to make them unhappy nor do we want our freedom curtailed. This way we all get what we want," she says. Adds Salma Ansari, 22, who has supportive parents and is pursuing an MBA degree, "What we need is for the society to accept that girls have an equal right to public spaces; that they too deserve to experience the joy of being able to run free, kick a ball, hold a bat, sprint, jump or swim. Nowadays, we are trying to break gender stereotypes by training a group of 50 young boys and girls together." The religious divide, too, has been overcome with the inclusion of girls from other faiths. Simran, 15, the youngest member of the team, is a Sikh. "We have so many misconceptions about other religions. But perceptions and attitudes change when we meet and interact. Being in Parcham, I am learning about gender, equality, justice… Watch out, I am a feminist in the making!" she says emphatically. What's next on Parcham's agenda? "We want to set up a resource centre for our girls, complete with books, newspapers, computers and a wi-fi network. Every Saturday, we plan to hold meetings where we can discuss the latest news and concepts like secularism and citizenship to enable everyone to think and form opinions on subjects they are passionate about. The centre will be a safe haven for Muslims and non-Muslims to build friendships," says Sabah. In the home town of Ishrat Jahan, the young woman who was tragically shot in an encounter in Ahmedabad in 2004, these girls are gearing up to drive out prejudice and hatred. —(Women's Feature Service) Source: http://www.kashmirtimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=38270 |
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
11/13/14
Mumbra's Muslim girls kick out stereotypes
1/29/13
Play On! Focused Pakistani Women's Cricket Team Disregards Threats.
BY: SHIREEN AHMED
The world is waiting for the top cricket athletes to compete in the ICC Women’s World Cup to be held in India. Eight of the best teams in the world are vying for the top spot.
Due to recent threats from the angry, extremist right-wing, nationalist Shiv Sena party against the tournament and specifically the Pakistani squad, the athletes have been housed in Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
“The Pakistani players would have faced trouble while travelling from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack for the matches. So we have arranged for their accommodation on the Barabati Stadium premises,” said Odisha Cricket Association Secretary Asirbad Behera.
The tournament was to be held in Mumbai but after a careful assessment the ICC decided to change the venue for the qualifying matches.
The finals will still be held in Mumbai.
Although I applaud the International Council for trying to put the safety of players first, securing the facilities and letting the aggressors know that this will not be tolerated is crucial.
Sport will tolerate terrorism nor will it tolerate threats.
It must persevere.
These women do not have a political agenda. They are playing for sports and for pride.
They have trained and worked hard. They have earned it.
And they deserve the chance to play in peace.
Despite these events, the Pakistan Women’s team has maintained that their priority is securing a place in the finals.
They will not be deterred by the potential of violence.
These women are stronger than that.
And there are many out there, including dedicated fans in India, who are supporting them and are very excited for this tournament. Politics has no place on the cricket pitch and this does not reflect well on India as a very gracious host nation.
Sana Mir, a formidable player and Team Pakistan’s skipper recently commented: ”We are not here to be in a five-star arrangement. We are here to play and we are quite comfortable.”
Her dedication and professionalism proceeds her.
“We are here to play cricket, we feel Barabati Stadium like any ground in Pakistan”
Picture: Pakistani Women's Cricket Team
To be a female athlete and be concerned about safety can be limiting and intimidating.
These players will do their utmost to ensure a victory and make their country proud despite the lack of support from a minority voice.
I, for one, am already blown by the generosity and professionalism of a team that clarifies that they are there to win. Nothing else.
Pakistan Team manager, Ayesha Ashar: “The arrangements are more like we get in Pakistan. We are happy with the facilities provided to us by the organisers”.
That, my friends, commands respect.
Picture: Sana Mir
12/17/12
ICC Women's World Cup 2013 fixtures
All matches played in Mumbai. Venues: Wankhede Stadium, Brabourne Stadium [aka Cricket Club of India], Middle Income Group Ground (MIG), Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), DY Patil Stadium (DYP)
WARM-UP MATCHES
January
28 England v Pakistan, Wankhede Stadium (03:30 GMT)
28 India v South Africa, BKC (03:30 GMT)
28 West Indies v Australia, Brabourne Stadium (03:30 GMT)
28 New Zealand v Sri Lanka, MIG (03:30 GMT)
29 India v Australia, Wankhede Stadium (03:30 GMT)
29 West Indies v Pakistan, BKC (03:30 GMT)
30 Sri Lanka v South Africa, Brabourne Stadium (03:30 GMT)
30 England v New Zealand, DYP (03:30 GMT)
GROUP STAGE
Group A: England (A1), India (A2), West Indies (A3), Sri Lanka (A4)
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Group B: Australia (B1), New Zealand (B2), Pakistan (B3), South Africa (B4)
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31 Australia v Pakistan, BKC (03:30 GMT)
31 India v West Indies (d/n), Wankhede Stadium (09:00 GMT)
February
1 New Zealand v South Africa (d/n), Wankhede Stadium (09:00 GMT)
2 England v Sri Lanka, Wankhede Stadium (03:30 GMT)
3 New Zealand v Pakistan, BKC (03:30 GMT)
3 Austalia v South Africa, Brabourne Stadium (03:30 GMT)
4 India v England, Wankhede Stadium (03:30 GMT)
4 Sri Lanka v West Indies, MIG (03:30 GMT)
5 Pakistan v South Africa, BKC (03:30 GMT)
5 Australia v New Zealand (d/n), DYP (03:30 GMT)
6 India v Sri Lanka, Wankhede Stadium (03:30 GMT)
6 England v West Indies (d/n), Brabourne Stadium (09:00 GMT)
SUPER SIX STAGE
Teams retain their ranking from the group stage no matter where they qualify - for example, England will be A1 whether they finish first, second or third. If A4 (Sri Lanka) or B4 (South Africa) qualify, they will adopt the ranking of the team they replace in the Super Six
9 7th/8th place play-off, MIG (03:30 GMT)
9 A3 v B3, BKC (03:30 GMT)
9 A2 v B2 (d/n), Wankhede Stadium (09:00 GMT)
9 A1 v B1 (d/n), Brabourne Stadium (09:00 GMT)
11 A3 v B2, BKC (03:30 GMT)
11 A1 v B3, DYP (03:30 GMT)
11 A2 v B1 (d/n), Brabourne Stadium (09:00 GMT)
13 A3 v B1, Wankhede Stadium (03:30 GMT)
13 A1 v B2, BKC (03:30 GMT)
13 A2 v B3, Brabourne Stadium (03:30 GMT)
15 5th/6th place play-off, BKC (03:30 GMT)
15 3rd/4th place play-off, Brabourne Stadium (03:30 GMT)
FINAL
17 Final (d/n), Brabourne Stadium (09:00 GMT)
9/27/12
Pakistani and Indian athletes building bridges through football
BY: SHIREEN AHMED
"Today, young female athletes from India and Pakistan have come together to forge new friendships on and off the soccer field" -Ann Stock, US State Department
Pictures from training session:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50221841@N06/sets/72157631534165851/
The United States State Department has an Sports Exchange program called "Sports United" under the umbrella of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This program hosts athlete delegations from various countries and sends US athletes to other countries to learn about culture and philanthropy through sport. Sports United encompasses fair play principles to build bridges and empower youth.
From September 11-22, 2012 it hosted 18 young women and two coaches from India and Pakistan.
The ten-day program offered opportunities for the athletes and coaches to speak with sports management and offers conflict-resolution workshops. These young women gained access to young athletes, nutritionists and sports professionals during this exchange. They were provided with a tour of ESPN studios in Washington, DC for a tutorial in Sports Media.
They met with State Dept Rep James Moore (Deputy Assistant for Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of South and Central Asia) to discuss their challenges, obstacles and share ideas and provide encouragement for one another.
(Footballers training onsite)
Most importantly was the opportunity for the women to train with and engage in healthy activity with women from their neighbouring country. It is commonly known that India and Pakistan have many socio-cultural, political and religious divides. The differences between the nuclear-armed countries in opinions of history, geo-politics made it almost impossible to get a visa for many years. Athletes were not able to compete against each other in regional competitions thus greatly reducing the prospects for proper local competition. Only recently have both nations signed an agreement to warm relations and facilitate border crossing.
To connect these talented women abroad in this manner is critical to continue to bridge building and develop understanding for the future. Each delegate was an ambassador to their country.
Most importantly to accord these athletes such an experience to empower themselves and provide opportunity for personal growth is outstanding.
These athletes come from countries where there is not yet support for women's football, either financially or culturally and they can be met with resistance. To engage in an exchange to improve their skill, drive and be enjoyable is a fantastic venture.
As the focus of this trip was football the young women attended a professional women's soccer match with DC United Women's team and worked with JoLi Academy for advanced technical training. They were trained with accomplished players such as Joanna Lohmann (DC United Women and also a Co-founder of the JoLi Academy). Lohmann took to twitter to praise the efforts of the young delegates and respectfully noted their challenges.
This program was a success in connecting women and teaching them how their participation in sport can transcend into high achievement in the classroom and improve life skills.
Passion for football can be used to foster a relationship-building process that is still in its' early stages.
In an interview with The Hindu, 16 year-old Chinta Anjani Rashmitha from India stated: "Before I came here, I didn't have a connection with any of the people [I have met during this trip]. Now, using communication skills that I never knew I had, I have built a relationship with the people of Pakistan via sports. We get closer with soccer, share our ideas, some in common, some with differences, and become better citizens."
Despite cultural differences, language barriers and background these women came together, worked hard, trained, observed learned and played a fantastic amount of football.
They have the tools to go back to their communities and teach, inspire and create initiative.
Sports have the ability to bring people together and produce not just great sportsmanship but wonderfully optimistic people. These young talented footballers are no exception.
(Delegation from Pakistan)
c/o US Dept of State: South and Central Asia Photostream
9/9/12
South Asian Football Federation Women's Tournament a HUGE score!
By: Shireen Ahmed
As the world watches Women's Soccer explode on the International Stage, there is an incredible opportunity for Women's of less wealthy nations to compete for the first time in the South Asian Football Federation's Women's Cup.
The SAFF Tournament runs from September 8th with finals being played on September 16th.
In a sponsored tournament that evolved from its' predecessor South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Women's Gold Cup, the SAFF Tournament is a fantastic opportunity for eight teams to participate in football and engage in high level play.
India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and host country Sri Lanka.
Columbo is no stranger to International tournaments. It's a terrifically vibrant city with a lot of spirit- particularly for its' sports teams. Although the Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club Ground only hold 500 spectators, the players are committed to excellence and good sportsmanship with full professionalism.
*Above: Team Bangladesh warms up*
This tournament caters to the different religions and clothing preferences of players.
There are hijab-wearing players with their legs covered to footballers in shorts with pony-tails sprinting down the field. There are no issues with players having to be disqualified due to choice of dress.
The players are able to focus on winning instead of dreading rejection of various Football Associations as was the case with Iran last year in Women's World Cup qualifying game.
Games are exciting and the polls are challenging.
India is ranked much further up the FIFA rankings at an impressive #52 (and much higher than the Men's squad who are currently at #169) and have thus far dominated the tournament.
The other teams are ranked lower with Bangladesh and Maldives at #115 and #116 respectively. The other teams are at the bottom of the rankings with #128.
Nepal and India have had women's football programs in place for the last 25 years. The other countries' have not have support, structure, facilities as long. Afghanistan and Pakistan being the most disadvantaged with their countries' engulfed in geo-political conflicts.
Despite the odds, these footballers have fought beyond obstacles and perhaps cultural expectations. They have risen up with far less financial support than their male counterparts.
The SAFF Women's Tournament was supposed to be held last year but was unable to find a sponsor. This year Holcim Cement has generously agreed to sponsor this great event.
Hopefully, this year's SAFF tournament will draw great attention and interest from home countries.
These women do not have the commercial backings, magazine covers, modelling contracts and millions of dollars of infrastructure that Top Women's Team are provided with.
They run on hard work and humility.
The participants are great representatives of "passion, dedication and belief"; understandably this years motto.
These athletes are excellent examples of how women may achieve anything if they are given a chance to thrive.
South Asian female footballers are shinning representatives of good sportsmanship and honouring culture. They couple inspiration with intensity and drive.
Their home countries should laud them and respect them with the highest acclaim- regardless of result. They are creating a precedent in the world of International Sport.
The world and International Football Federations must pay much attention to these players. They are setting the pitch for tomorrows superstars.
South Asian female footballers are shinning representatives of good sportsmanship and honouring culture. They couple inspiration with intensity and drive.
Their home countries should laud them and respect them with the highest acclaim- regardless of result. They are creating a precedent in the world of International Sport.
The world and International Football Federations must pay much attention to these players. They are setting the pitch for tomorrows superstars.
*Below: Team Maldives and Team Afghanistan walk onto pitch pre-match*
Full Squad Photos available from : http://www.womenssoccerunited.com/group/saff-womens-championship/forum/topics/india-and-sri-lanka-both-win-on-day-one-saff-women-s-championship
9/2/12
Islamic Reflections on Women’s Sporting Bodies in Relation to Sexuality, Modesty and Privacy
By Sertaç SEHLIKOGLU
During 2012 London Olympics, heated debates arose around the question of Muslim women’s participation to Olympics. Some of these discussions problematized the position of countries which have never sent a female Olympian (Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar), while others discussed under which conditions headscarved (hijabi) Olympians should participate in the games. Although they come from very different ideaological, political, and religious perspectives, all these debates and interventions claimed the right to exercise power on the female body. As an activist blogger on Muslim women’s involvement in sports and a young anthropologist, I have been inquiring issues of women’s agency, desire, and privacy in my field research. As I have been interviewing Muslim women doing sports in women-only gyms in Istanbul, I have asked them about their views on involvement in sports, privacy, modesty, and public sexuality.
In order to have a better understanding of the debates on Muslim sportswomen, one needs to keep two points in mind: The first one is the Islamic point that sports requires body movements that trouble the perceptions on women’s public visibility and public sexuality. The second point however is linked to a broader question on the boundaries between the masculine and the feminine; which are perceived to be physically yet discursively trespassed by professional sportswomen, who are therefore considered as troubling subjects.
The literature on sports and gender also emphasizes that women face higher levels of constraints than men regarding involvement in leisure and sports both in Western and in Muslim contexts (Shaw 1994, 1996; Henderson and Bialeschki 1993). While several scholars bring forward the original teachings of Islam which actually favor and advocate physical development sports for both sexes (Mahfoud 2008, Pfitzer 2008), several others criticize the ways in which Muslim women’s involvement in sports are overshadowed and restricted by hegemonic masculine discourses (Di-Capua 2006). Among those discussions, I am interested in whether and how Muslim women have developed strategies to increase and legitimize their involvement in sports both in the Muslim and non-Muslim and/or secular world.
MUSLIM WOMEN AND SPORTS: A CONTESTED AREA
Two female participants of Olympics from Turkey with other fencers, 1936. Image courtesy Sertac Sehlikoglu
We can group Muslim sportswomen into three based on their participation in international games. The first group of women is composed of those who are not following the Islamic dress code, some of whom do not believe that such dress code (ie, headscarf) is Islamic. Historically, this group has been involved in international games for much longer than the other two, since modernists in many Muslim societies viewed sports as a means of breaking women’s segregation and including them in public life in the early 20th century. The first Muslim women attended the 1936 Berlin Olympics: Suat Aşeni and Halet Çambel represented Turkey in fencing, 36 years after first women were allowed to compete in the Olympic Games. Turkey, as a country which accepts international dress regulations for different branches of sports, does not have any problem in sending its successful sportswomen to the Olympic Games, as long as the sportswomen follow the international dress codes in sports.
The second group of Muslim women is composed of those who believe in modesty and prefer observing Islam in terms of the dress code as well. These women often face other rules, such as those in international games, which forbid their headscarf based on safety and security concerns. Muslim sports activists propose “safe hijabs” to negotiate with security concerns and suggest alternative styles for different branches. FIFA, for instance, was in contact with designers for an approvable headgear to be used in international soccer games when this article was being written.
A third group of Muslim women however, are not allowed to participate in sports, not because of their religious choices or international game regulations, but because of the regulations of their own country. Iranian sportswomen are an example to this, since the branches of sports Iranian women are allowed to participate are limited: Lida Fariman, Manije Kazemi (archery), Marjan Kalhor (skiing), and Sara Khoshjamal Fekri (taekwondo) are four examples, who have represented Iran in the Olympic games in earlier years within clothes regulated by their country. In these Iranian cases, the dress codes of the sport are in line with Iran’s national dress code for modesty to be preserved. Similarly, and unfortunately, there are countries, such as the Southeast Asian nation of Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have not sent any single woman to the Olympic games until 2012. Such outfit regulations influence female citizens of these countries whether the sportwomen themselves are Muslims or not, since they are bounded with the codes both at national and at international level.
What all these groups of Muslim women seem to be sharing is that their bodies are at the center of heated ideological, political, or religious debates and contestations at national and international platforms; as these women are subjected to different forms of idealized discourses and pressures (of secularist and Islamist patriarchies) on multiple fronts.
The fatwas regarding sports are very explanatory in understanding the “Islamic” attitudes. Although Islamic rules do not necessarily pose an obstacle to the participation of women in sports, they can shape the sporting experience of women as gendered subjects. All of the fatwas on Islamic web sites concerning physical exercise begin with the importance of sports for health and encourage individuals to be physically active with reference to hadiths, with minor warnings on violence, fanaticism, or hooliganism. When it comes to women’s involvement in sports, the fatwas start using a more regulative language in details. Almost all of the suggested regulations and rules about women’s involvement in sports are related to gender segregation, and, more importantly, bodily exposure. Fatwas specify several rules that must be followed: First, men and women must be segregated, since mixed environments may open channels for seduction, temptation and corruption. Fatwas reject any physical exercise that stir sexual urge or encourage moral perversion such as women practicing dancing and being watched by the public since each one of the these acts are coded as “sexual(ly appealing).” Indeed, those within Saudi Arabia who oppose the inclusion of women in sports do so because future implications and consequences of women’s involvement in sports might be un-Islamic although there is nothing in Islam that prohibits women from physical activity or even competitive sports.
Most of the time, the most convenient sport for Muslim sportswomen who have concerns about their body movements or Islamic veiling are the branches that do not require too much body movements – the movements which are perceived as ‘sexually appealing’ such as movement of hips (running) and breasts (jumping). The most popular sports for women from predominantly Muslim countries have been athletics, power lifting, fencing, archery, martial arts and table tennis. Such branches are more convenient especially if women are professionals and need to spend hours everyday for training. Women can easily find spaces for training and do not need to seek for special dedicated spaces.
WHAT IS THE BORDER OF VEIL, SEXUALITY AND SPORTS?
Set of photos shown to informants and asked what they think. Image courtesy Sertac Sehlikoglu
The Islamic veiling, whether in the format of a simple headscarf or in more sophisticated outfits, does have a spiritual value for Muslim women as they cover their bodies during prayer. Such a value is too important to underestimate. Yet, the borders of a veiled body also stay on the edge of the gender binary of modern Islamic heterosexual norms. As apparent in the fatwas, less veiled body of a Muslim woman arouses hyper-femininity yet reflects homoerotic boundaries of women in Islamic cultures. However, the body of a Muslim sportswoman is troubling not only because it is sexually arousing as a female body, but also because it trespasses into the masculine zone.
During my field research on women-only gyms in Istanbul, I interviewed 40 women on their involvement in physical exercise and how their involvement is shaped or constrained by people closest to them at home or at work. These women prefer such homosocial spaces simply because they do not feel “comfortable”, as they put it, when they can be seen by men. I showed my informants, who were sporty but not involved in any professional sports, photos of various Muslim sportswomen taken during international games. They were all familiar with physical exercise and accepted Islamic gender norms at one level, therefore preferred homosocial spaces to exercise. The photos women were shown included Sania Mirza (Indian tennis player, non-veiled), Roqaya Al-Gassra (Bahraini Athlete, veiled), female wrestlers, volleyball players, and weightlifters. Amongst all, Al-Gassra aroused the most mixed feelings amongst women. Women did not feel comfortable about Al-Gassra’s look since she “looked like a guy” and she was revealing her body although she was covering her head. On the other hand, most of my veiled informants were proud to see a ‘veiled’ (not a Muslim but veiled) woman in international games but they still found it unnecessary. The Olympics and international games therefore, raise the debate on the ways in which a woman’s body is exposed to international audiences which is linked to complex feelings on national pride (and how this sense of pride and nation is perceived), women’s public sexuality, modesty and Islamic pride (which also takes gendered forms). Indeed, Al-Gassra, as a professional veiled athlete, was becoming part of such Islamic pride and become target of criticisms for two reasons: for her low-veiling and tomboy look. Thus, Islamic pride of a woman is expected to be both normative and modest; both of which are violated in the case of Al-Gassra.
7/27/12
FEMALE MUSLIM OLYMPIANS SCHEDULE
Muslim Women's Sport Foundation prepared the schedule below for your interest. For the better quality of the schedule, please refer to their website from: http://www.mwsf.org.uk/olympics_london2012.html
(Every effort has been made to ensure the information is correct. If errors are noticed please email info@mwsf.org.uk. For the full Olympic schedule visit www.london2012.com)
4/28/12
IOC, OCA seminar focuses on challenges in women's sports
MUSCAT (OMAN): The challenges that women athletes confront and possible solutions to them dominated the discussion during a two-day seminar on women's sports and media organised by the International Olympic Committee in collaboration with the Olympic Council of Asia.
The Oman Olympic Committee played host as delegates from 45 countries, including India, deliberated on how to increase the participation of women in sports and administrative roles in their respective National Olympic Committees in the April 25-26 seminar.
Among the presenters at the event were IOC Women and Sports Commission member Beng Choo Low from Malaysia and veteran Australian sports journalist Tracey Lee Holmes, who has covered six Olympics in a career spanning over two decades.
The issues that dominated the discussion included the disparity in media coverage of women's sports viz-a-viz men's sports, the lack of training facilities for women athletes in participating countries and the issues surrounding the dress code of various sports when it comes to Muslim women in conservative societies.
"The first thing the women need to do is stop complaining about being discriminated against because there is no point in that. We have to create our space, we should not expect men to create that for us. Don't wait for others to give opportunities, if you believe in something just do it yourself," said Low while addressing the delegates, only two of whom were men.
"Women should not expect a place for themselves because of their gender, they should get there on the basis of their talent and capabilities.
"What we can work on is to improve the pool of women coaches so that young girls even in conservative societies are exposed to sports without any restrictions," she said.
During the seminar, OCA's Women and Sports Committee head Natalya Sipovich gave a status report on the progress made by women in terms of participation in Continental Games and in their respective National Olympic Committees.
"I hope the NOCs seriously implement our recommendation of having 20 per cent reservation for capable women in administrative roles," she said.
"We have to keep knocking at the door so that some day the window of opportunity opens up," she added.
Another issue which was discussed vigorously was the dress code for Muslim women in sports, especially soccer and beach volleyball.
FIFA's ban on women playing soccer with hijab was also a hot topic of discussion and the Sipovich said designs are now ready to ensure that Muslim women can play the sport with their heads covered without causing any safety concerns.
"FIFA's hijab ban is because of the safety concerns because the way it is tied, a player might get injured if a rival lunges at her," explained Low.
On the last day of the seminar, on April 26, the delegates pondered on an action plan to improve women's sports. The suggestions made at the seminar would be sent to the IOC for deliberation and implementation.
Source: The Times of India
The Oman Olympic Committee played host as delegates from 45 countries, including India, deliberated on how to increase the participation of women in sports and administrative roles in their respective National Olympic Committees in the April 25-26 seminar.
Among the presenters at the event were IOC Women and Sports Commission member Beng Choo Low from Malaysia and veteran Australian sports journalist Tracey Lee Holmes, who has covered six Olympics in a career spanning over two decades.
The issues that dominated the discussion included the disparity in media coverage of women's sports viz-a-viz men's sports, the lack of training facilities for women athletes in participating countries and the issues surrounding the dress code of various sports when it comes to Muslim women in conservative societies.
"The first thing the women need to do is stop complaining about being discriminated against because there is no point in that. We have to create our space, we should not expect men to create that for us. Don't wait for others to give opportunities, if you believe in something just do it yourself," said Low while addressing the delegates, only two of whom were men.
"Women should not expect a place for themselves because of their gender, they should get there on the basis of their talent and capabilities.
"What we can work on is to improve the pool of women coaches so that young girls even in conservative societies are exposed to sports without any restrictions," she said.
During the seminar, OCA's Women and Sports Committee head Natalya Sipovich gave a status report on the progress made by women in terms of participation in Continental Games and in their respective National Olympic Committees.
"I hope the NOCs seriously implement our recommendation of having 20 per cent reservation for capable women in administrative roles," she said.
"We have to keep knocking at the door so that some day the window of opportunity opens up," she added.
Another issue which was discussed vigorously was the dress code for Muslim women in sports, especially soccer and beach volleyball.
FIFA's ban on women playing soccer with hijab was also a hot topic of discussion and the Sipovich said designs are now ready to ensure that Muslim women can play the sport with their heads covered without causing any safety concerns.
"FIFA's hijab ban is because of the safety concerns because the way it is tied, a player might get injured if a rival lunges at her," explained Low.
On the last day of the seminar, on April 26, the delegates pondered on an action plan to improve women's sports. The suggestions made at the seminar would be sent to the IOC for deliberation and implementation.
Source: The Times of India
6/13/11
Saina unhappy with 'mandatory skirts' rule
By Rupam Jain, TNN
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| Saina Nehwal during a practice session in Chennai. (BCCL Photo) |
HYDERABAD: Ever since Badminton World Federation decided to make skirts compulsory for female players, World No. 3 Saina Nehwal, has been looking up her cupboard for old skirts. She spent most of the day trying them on.
Saina in conversation with Hyderabad Times on the issue:
Indian Open, starting April 26, is the last tournament that will see you playing in shorts.
"Yes, I am not happy about it. But if it's a rule, I will have to follow it."
Have you tried wearing a skirt ever since the rule?
"Yes, I wore one today."
Why don't you voice your disappointment?
"If others have accepted the decision, I can't be the only person fighting with the federation, can I? I will take time to adjust to this, but I will have to do it."
Is this the right way to promote the sport?
"I feel they should have just left the choice to the players."
Your comment on this sexist notion attached to the rule...
"They are only trying to implement this idea to make the sport popular, but there are so many other ways, right? They claim more people will come to watch my game if I wear a skirt instead of shorts. The stadium is always packed whenever I play, even if I'm in shorts. Let's see how well they can promote the sport through this rule. I am sure it will be made optional after two months."
What makes you say that?
"Badminton is a lot about jumping and running across the court. Once the players start getting uncomfortable doing this while wearing skirts, I am sure they will fight against the rule together."
Till then are you okay with pictures of you and other players in flying skirts making headlines, like it happens with tennis players?
"My job is to play and I don't care about who clicks me. When pictures of me and other players in flying skirts come out in the papers, I am sure there will be opposition and then, maybe, the federation will change the rule."
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