Female athletes inspire every woman. Reflecting upon what performances of girls and women in sports arena have taught me. Read on…
I am an avid follower of women’s sports. I was never a great sportsperson but I love to watch women play cricket, hockey, badminton, tennis, wrestling, weightlifting, gymnastics to name a few. Watching other women playing sports is an enriching experience. It molded many of my thoughts and beliefs.
Here are 8 qualities which make girls and women in sports a true inspiration for all of us:
Female Athletes Survived Gender Discrimination
We identify with the long history of fighting gender bias before getting their due recognition. There was a lack of opportunities, funds, and media coverage for women’s sports. Some of them were valued only for their looks and not for athletic skills. Unfortunate but true that girls in sports are overcoming odds much like women in other professions often do. So, their survival tactics serve as a source of motivation for women pursuing careers away from the sporting turf.
An Unwavering Conviction to Break the Bias
Girls and women are doing so well on the field. They are giving stellar performances which create a strong, confident, vibrant image for women off the field. It redefines the role of a woman in society. It challenges stereotypes of what a woman can do. They inspire young girls to shift focus from outer appearance and develop life skills like discipline, dedication, and teamwork.
Sky-High Ambitions
These athletes are not afraid of chasing big dreams. After every defeat, they work harder to fulfil their ambition to win. Then, a day comes when they turn an impossible dream into reality. Their confidence can break every physical and mental barrier and help them march ahead.
Her Physical Strength
Sports is a physically demanding activity. Hence, she undergoes rigorous training to enhance power, speed, and agility. She does not miss a training session even on days when it is extremely difficult to move her body. Builds physical competence bit by bit through persistent efforts and self-discipline. The end result is beyond all expectations. Now, the global stage validates that strength and stamina of a woman can soar to an incredible height with proper practice and exercise.
If these women can stretch her physical body to this extent with regular practice so can I. This way, one fine day, I was drawn to regular exercising.
An Indomitable Fighting Spirit
Fighting till the end without giving up is a priceless life lesson we learn from them. A sporty girl tries and pushes herself forward even when the score is not in her favor. She has the zeal to win every game. However, she also knows how to accept defeat with the same spirit. Any huge on-field setback may upset her for a moment but she refuses to bog down. She has an inner drive to step out on the pitch next time and compete again for a victory.
Pursuit of Athletic Perfection
We are in awe of how female athletes have perfected their athletic skills to the highest level. Behind the scenes, there is a long, invisible preparation to attain perfection. It has different stages. She learns basic skills first. After that, she practices daily to build accuracy and eliminate technical errors. Then, she trains herself to lift the spirits and give her best despite fatigue, exhaustion, and mental stress. It requires relentless perseverance and dedication.
Power of Endurance
They work hard for months and years to win a competition. Athletic skills are not built in one day. It takes time. Proficiency and precision come with consistency. It involves countless drilling sessions. Sometimes, it may get boring and repetitive but she cannot afford to lose her patience.
On some days, she fails to fair well during practice. In a crucial sports event, she may run “out of form”. She keeps going against such adverse conditions. She puts criticisms aside, pulls up her socks to reclaim the usual playing standard.
Female athletes suffer injuries but never stop there. They first shrug off self-doubt regarding quitting sporting career. Then they recover, regain fitness, and make bigger comebacks.
I feel girls and women in sports face harsher public scrutiny and backlash on social media than their male counterparts. If she is not doing well, people forget to analyze her game, on-court mistakes, technical errors, or fitness. They target her body image, styling, makeup, personal life, etc. She knows that it is a temporary phase and the nonsense can bother her only for a few days.
Competitive Mindset
Female contenders compete with full fierceness which is traditionally considered as unwomanly. Though no biological fact is available to prove that competitiveness causes any harm to women. Still, society expects women to be cooperative and not competitive. It is rooted in our culture.
Hence, young girls taking up sports start off their career on an uneven playing field. Later, they resist the trap and rise above such preconceived notions. Thus, setting great examples for women who hesitate to free herself from this mental barrier.
She flaunts her dominance and aggressive nature on court like a real champion. It sends out one clear message that women professionals must have competitive mindset. It helps to outperform others and surpass her personal best.
FINAL THOUGHT: Girls and women in sports are here to stay and reach newer heights. Their achievements are a matter of pride for many sports enthusiasts irrespective of gender. Outstanding records set by them will stand out as a true inspiration for generations to come.
