Leveling the Playing Field: A Call for Equality in Indian Sports

The sports industry is booming, but not everyone benefits equally. In India, the gender pay gap is a glaring issue that has become prominent in sports and continues to hold back a wide range of female teams and athletes. As we move towards a future where equality is no longer just a buzzword, closing the gender pay gap in sports isn’t just a matter of fairness—it’s a necessity. Addressing this disparity is the start to paving the way for a stronger, more vibrant sports industry that fully harnesses the talent and potential of all athletes, regardless of gender.

Here’s the deal: If we reduce the gender pay gap in sports, we’re not just talking about a bit more money in female athletes’ pockets; we’re talking about a massive shift in how sports are valued within the country. According to a report by Deloitte, if women's sports in India received equal funding and sponsorship as men's sports, the market could grow by nearly ?1,000 crores over the next five years. That’s a huge win—not just for women, but for the entire Indian sports ecosystem.

?Why It’s Still an Issue in India

In India, the gender pay gap in sports is still a massive problem. The country has seen big changes in terms of women’s sports participation; around half of India’s 2024 Olympics squad were women. But that’s where the progress stalls and the problem ratifies itself. Despite Indian women bringing home medals, trophies, and accolades, they’re still earning way less than their male counterparts. And that’s a problem that affects all of us.

Out of the 6 medals won by the Indian contingent at the 2024 Olympics, women won 2, with athletes like Lakshya Sen and Vinesh Phogat almost adding further to the women’s tally.?

So clearly, women are competing and winning just as much as men. But they don’t get rewarded the same outside of international events such as the Paris Olympics. The Indian National Football Team’s goalkeeper has mentioned how it is impossible to compare men's and women’s pay in football because the women’s team is not even scheduled to play enough matches, despite placing higher than the men in FIFA rankings. In Indian cricket, where players like Mithali Raj are legends, the pay disparity is staggering. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) pays top male cricketers like Virat Kohli an annual retainer of ?7 crores, while top female cricketers get just ?50 lakhs. That’s a 14x difference!

So, from the Olympics where the women have made us proud, to football where the women outperform the men’s team, to cricket - a sport that is beginning to open up to women - they continue to be underpaid. An interview with a state-level semi-professional women’s wrestler stated, in regards to the future of sport in India, that “when girls see that we’re not getting paid what we deserve, they start to question if it’s even worth it to pursue sports. We’re losing talent before it even has a chance to develop.”?

So what is going to happen 10, 15 years down the line? Women can’t get sponsored until they get more viewers, which they can’t do until they get paid enough for their sport to be a viable career, which they can’t get till they are sponsored.?

It boils down to one big chicken-and-egg problem. It needs to be addressed otherwise the cycle would not end!

?Why This Gap Needs to Close ASAP

So, why should we care? Because this isn’t just about money; it’s about the future of sports in India. The next generation of athletes are watching closely. They’re the ones who’ll decide if sports are something worth pursuing. And if they see that girls are getting a raw deal, they might just walk away from it altogether. That’s bad news for everyone.

The semi-professional wrestler went on to say that “When I tell people I’m a wrestler, they often react with surprise, like it’s not something a woman should be doing.” A lot of people still think it’s unorthodox for women to pursue careers in sports, specifically ones like wrestling. But we can change that.

Why can’t women wrestle?

Of course, they can.

Providing a platform, a chance for women to show that they are just as capable as men when it comes to sports can ignite the passion in the next generation. We can push India as a country to a new level of excellence by creating a sports atmosphere that welcomes all and separates by skill, not gender.

Closing the gender pay gap isn’t just about giving female athletes their due; it’s about inspiring the next generation. Imagine a world where girls see female athletes getting the same recognition, media coverage, and pay as male athletes. They’d be more likely to pick up a racket, lace up their boots, or step onto the mat. And that’s how you build a stronger, more diverse sports culture in India.

?How We Can Make It Happen

The good news? This problem isn’t unsolvable. There are clear steps we can take to close the gender pay gap in sports, and it starts with visibility. More media coverage, more sponsorships, more opportunities for female athletes to shine. When women’s sports get the spotlight, the money will follow. We’ve already seen this happen in other countries—just look at how the U.S. women’s soccer team fought for and won equal pay. It wasn’t just about money; it was about respect and recognition.

A state-level tennis player, choosing to stay anonymous, shared: “It’s not just about the prize money; it’s about how we’re seen by the world. If we’re always in the background, how can we ever expect to be paid equally?”

But it’s not just up to the media and sponsors. Fans have a huge role to play. The more we show up for women’s sports, the more pressure there is on brands and broadcasters to invest in them. It’s like a snowball effect—the more support women’s sports get, the bigger they grow, and the smaller that pay gap becomes. Sports are not bigger than you and I. We are what makes the wheels turn, and we can bring change to the Indian scenario by supporting equal pay and helping give rise to women’s sport throughout the country. The tennis player elaborated “we need people to come and watch and support women who play tennis, as well as other sports. It helps in creating a good atmosphere and bringing interest”.

The Bottom Line

The gender pay gap in Indian sports is more than just a financial issue; it’s a cultural one. It’s about the value we place on female athletes and the future we want for sports in India. Closing this gap is crucial—not just for fairness, but for the growth and sustainability of sports in our country.

So, let’s make this happen. Let’s push for more coverage, more investment, and more respect for female athletes. Because when we close the gender pay gap in sports, we’re not just leveling the playing field—we’re changing the game for good.