District coaches were sensitized by activists from the community leading to the event
To get as many transgender people to participate in the district-level athletic meet, each district council in Kerala appointed a coach and ground for the contingent, and participants were given three days of training.
The result is a heartening turn out of 200 participants from 14 districts – the state's Sexual Minorities Forum was expecting 20 from each district, aadding up to 280 – for the first state-level transgender athletic meet to be held on April 28 at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The numbers fell short in the districts of Wayanad, Idduki, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta owing to smaller numbers of transgender population.
The State Sports Commission also conducted gender and sexuality sensitization workshops for coaches and sports authorities. "Coaches from all the districts were invited to Thiruvananthapuram," says event co-ordinator Anil Arjunan, "and they met activists from the community. We told them who is a transgender is, as it is an umbrella term, and discussed the issues that the community faces and factors that have stopped them from participating in sports."
The attempt is to have more transgender representation at mainstream sports events.
"Many transgenders participated in sports when they were in school," says Sree, an activist and sportsperson, "and harboured an ambition for sport but it was interrupted around the age of 13 due to ignorance and harassment from peers. This is a good opportunity for them to prove their abilities. The community has tremendous sports potential, we are as mentally and physically fit as any other citizen."
With no separate funds allotted for transgender sports as yet, state and district sports councils utilized their existing budget. "We tried for sponsors but time was limited. Next time, we will have sponsorships as well as more participation," says Arjunan.
On April 27, Sports Minister of Kerala, AC Moideen will host a dinner and cultural evening for the athletes. "This time," says Arjunan, "we are only looking to spread awareness within the community and familiarise them with the sports authorities, facilities, arena and stadium. Next year, we will have proper selections on the district level. Based on how this goes, we are even planning a national-level sports meet."
WHAT’S IT ABOUT
There was no selection criteria for participation and the athletes will compete in two categories – male to female and female to male, across six categories – 100, 200 and 400m sprints and 4x100m relay, shot put and long jump. Each athlete can participate in at least three events.
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