Parents shielded me, says Saina
Oct. 21: Badminton champion Saina Nehawal still counts her blessings for having parents who were liberal enough to allow her pursue sports in the face of gender discrimination from her family.
“My mother Usha Rani had represented Haryana in badminton and she was consistent in her encouragement. That helped me build my career successfully and at just 14, I had a sponsor in Bharat Petroleum and Deccan Chronicle now. We live in an apartment bought with my prize money and my parents have taken care that it is in my name,” she revealed.
“Many Haryanvi sportspersons, particularly women, are not half as lucky. They do not have generous sponsors even after doing exceedingly well,” she rued.
The 20-year-old revealed that her ties with her relatives have strained on the issue of how the women in the family should be treated. “My uncles and other relatives are against encouraging girls in every aspect and that includes sports. I hardly interact with them. My parents are more open, they back me all the way,” she said.
Haryana, which has a skewed sex ratio of 847 women to every 1,000 men, is notorious for female infanticide and honour killings. Saina said given the scenario, it was incredible to have Haryana women doing well in sports. “Men are domineering in rural Haryana and that shows in sport too. That Haryanvi women are in the spotlight for their excellent performance and have brought many medals to the state should make a difference,” she said.
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