HYDERABAD: A group of Physical Education Teachers who participated in Pink October 2018 - Women Sports Pride broke not one but two stereotypes attributed to sportspersons -- age and gender. The event organised by Oro Sports Village and Dr Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation and partnered by The New Indian Express saw PE teachers/sportswomen from the age-group of 16 to 34 compete in the finals of the Volleyball tournament.
This agile team of women came together for the love of the game just a few days before the tournament. “The moment all of heard that something like this was being organised in the city, all of us teachers came together to be a part of it,” said Shruthi Mekala, PE teacher at St Joseph’s School, King Koti.
Playing a sport has always been a bitter-sweet challenge for these women. “I began playing in my 6th grade and I have played over 18 tournaments ever since. However, this one is special because this is my first game in 12 years,” said 34-year-old PV Nagalakshmi, teacher at the Jubliee Hills Public School.
Many of the older participants said that sports for them had been a struggle initially with having to reason with their families and society. However, it has shaped the way of their life now.