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Do women in India face barriers in sports?

Plus: We hear from the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year.

Even though cricket is a national obsession in India, many other sports struggle to find an audience. And in terms of performance in international competitions, India has historically lagged behind. At last year’s Paris Olympics, India — a country of more than one billion people — failed to win a single gold medal and it finished behind smaller countries like St Lucia, Kyrgyzstan and Botswana on the medal table.

The country’s female athletes face a particular set of challenges. But they are breaking down barriers and trying to prove that the playing field belongs to everyone.

The BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards honour pioneering Indian sportswomen. The BBC’s Divya Arya attended the event and explains the challenges that female athletes face in India and what is being done to change this. We also hear from one of this year’s recipients, Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: William Lee Adams and Maria Clara Montoya
Editor: Verity Wilde

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13 minutes

Last on

Wed 19 Feb 202503:50GMT

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  • Tue 18 Feb 202518:50GMT
  • Wed 19 Feb 202503:50GMT

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