Earlier this year when I got a letter from the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to become the chairperson of its Athletes’ Commission, it came as a pleasant surprise.Coming as it did at a time when our sports is in intense need to find the next generation of weightlifters to win global medals for India, I accepted the position alongside Commonwealth Games gold medallist S. Sathish Kumar, who is the vice-chairman of the commission.My four-year term will be a big opportunity to express how women feel about weightlifting, where the intricacies of the sport are vastly different from how men play it. Weightlifting hinges on explosive power and every muscle in a woman’s body is impacted. So, it is important to build an ecosystem that is favourable for women to take up such a physically demanding sport.The Khelo Bharat Niti and the Sports Governance Bill mooted by the Union sports ministry complement each other. We have had a sports code that has worked well but sport is dynamic and therefore there is a need for policies and laws to change for the better. The good thing is that the Khelo Bharat Niti is aimed at the greater good of the youth at large and the Bill will ensure the ease of sporting business so that there are no hiccups and athletes wishing to excel at the highest level can just focus on their training.The inclusion of women in governance should not be seen as an intrusion. Gender neutrality is at the heart of the Olympic movement and now we have the first woman as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Since Tokyo 2020, the focus on women in global sports has been highlighted.At Los Angeles 2028, there will be more medals at stake for women than men! It is a significant indication that National Olympic Committees and their constituents will need to align themselves accordingly and ensure women get the respect they deserve on and off the field.The Bill mandates that at least four women should be in executive committee of national sports bodies. It’s a good start to enable women with international sporting experience to be represented and more importantly, heard. Going forward, I expect 50% participation of women in executive committees. Governance does not mean ticking the boxes to superficially satisfy some rules and regulations. Since the Bill is wholly athlete centric, it also means taking into consideration small details that are often overlooked.Women, by nature, are meticulous and when armed with administrative powers, will surely be responsible and result oriented. At least that’s the way I see myself in my new role in IWLF. Having meaningful conversations and creating a strategy that translates into growth and excellence should be the objective.
Poll
How important do you think the Khelo Bharat Niti is for youth sports in India?
Since 2014, there has been a definitive mindset shift towards sports in India. The Khelo India initiative is now at the fountainhead of sporting revolution in India but what has contributed to growth and excellence is the focus on infrastructure development, sports science and the government’s deep desire to back athletes to shine. I have personally seen the transformation at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports in Patiala. The Sports Governance Bill will only make sure we take rapid strides to win more medals at the continental and global levels without compromising on the tenets of good governance.Since the 2016 Rio Olympics, we have witnessed a remarkable rise in the performance and presence of women athletes on the global stage. This momentum continued with even greater impact at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and now at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Indian women athletes have consistently delivered inspiring performances and carried the hopes of a nation. Their growing success not only reflects the evolving landscape of Indian sports but also highlights the importance of creating more inclusive opportunities. Although I have personally never faced any harassment or abuse, I am keen that the ‘Safe Sports Policy’ is strictly adopted by national sports federations and their affiliates. We still live in a male-dominated world and protection of the girl child is mandatory.(Mirabai Chanu is an Olympic medal-winning weightlifter)
