Image : cwgsquash
Deepika Pallikal has taken the bold step of opting out of the National Squash Championship to mark her protest against the unfair prize allocation to the women’s winner. As per updates, the men’s champion would win a prize of Rs 1,20,000 whereas the women’s champion would win only Rs 50,000.
Deepika’s fight is not about the money alone but a bigger question of equality for women sportspersons. In a day and age when women are not just competing with men but also outshining them in many spheres, the Squash Federation’s unfair prize allocation reeks of a parochial and sexist mindset.
Deepika is not just any player but India’s top ranked women’s squash player, the world’s 18th ranked women’s squash player and a former national champion.
We salute Deepika for taking a rightful stand and hope that sports bodies across the country will appreciate and recognise that women sportspersons deserve the same treatment as men.
