Breaking the Bias: CorPirates Table Tennis League

Woke up, reading the Whatsapp chats which was bombarded with 'WOMEN'S DAY' post. Not knowing what it really meant, I exercised my mind to relate it with the happenings of recent past.

Well, on 6th March 2022, 8th CorPirates table tennis league was held at GSETT, Academy, Kukatpally, Hyderabad by HCTT. So what's so special about that apart from the usual, that it was well organized, well coordinated and that warm camaraderie existed amongst both the winners and the vanquished. Exalting a warm sporting climate which need to be emulated in all future events within the table tennis fraternity, in the city, state and the country at large.

The takeaways for me, apart from the above was that two excellent women table tennis players were rubbing their shoulders with their opposite gender and competing in the Elite Singles event without any qualms. One being a State Champion of Telangana and the other also a state level player. They won against tough opposition and lost only to players more skillful than them. No, no, I am not talking about the gender divide but about gender equality.

Further, how these players and others like them, over the years must have overcome gender discrimination in different walks of life, be it at home, school, place of work and more so on the streets.

In Hindsight, even the game of table tennis since our childhood i.e.1960s, has evolved from the tag of 'Girls Game' as compared with tennis. To get established as one of the most accomplished game of all round skills and endurance over the years. Similar the women players have made a name for themselves, their coaches, club and association at state, national and international levels which need to be acknowledged.

I am not going to name any player but the women players are not only playing the game with great skills and temperament but also playing a positive role in cleaning the system of the malaise that exists in all sports bodies, favoritism.

On this Women's Day we Salute them...