Twitter
Advertisement

Sleek suits for Indian women athletes

Indian women athletes have long been tagged dull and unexciting, but if all goes as planned, they will soon bid goodbye to their loose cottons

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Indian women athletes have long been tagged dull and unexciting, but if all goes as planned, they will soon bid goodbye to their loose cottons. In their place, it will be bodysuits a la Flo Jo.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to launch tight-fitting bodysuits for runners. Some top stars, including quarter-miler Manjeet Kaur, have already consented to the makeover.

India has had famous women athletes, but for none of them did marketers line up. Kamaljeet Sandhu, the first Indian woman to notch a gold at the Asian Games in 1970, was famous. And in the 1980s and 1990s, sprint champion Ashwini Nachappa, who went on to act in five films, stood out for her style statements, though strictly off the field. But in either case, there was no Sania effect.

Something had to give, and as AFI's secretary-general Lalit Bhanot informed , the decision for a revamp was taken during the recent Asian Championship at Incheon (South Korea).

"The anonymous looks have to go. Our women athletes are world class and they need to look the part," Bhanot said on Friday. "We have to also project ourselves as the rest of the world is doing."

Since there are social issues involved in clearing the proposal, it was important to take the opinion of the athletes themselves, but now, almost all have agreed, he explained.

His leading star, who is a Punjab Police officer from Ramamandi (Jalandhar), said: "All the girls in the relay squad were keen that we dress up like the others. It's a new thing for us (Indians), but it's a good change. It's not just about attracting attention with the tight-fitting clothes, but the new kit will also economise our energy and improve performance."

Nachappa, who runs a school in Bangalore, is excited. "For many years, we were the odd ones out at the international level. It's such a welcome relief that this generation can look forward to attractive suits and painted nails like Flo Jo. But, obviously, performance cannot take a backseat."

Manjeet Kaur and Co can ensure that it doesn't. Just like in the case of Sania Mirza, where both style and substance have helped promote Indian tennis.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement