To be a woman in any industry is to encounter varying levels of sexism and misogyny.
For women in fields like sports which are considered the purview of men, there is an added layer of proving themselves worthy of attention.
Women in sports have to fight off the notion that they are “too masculine”; this even if being sporty is of benefit to women’s health.
Teenage girls who choose to engage in active sports like running and football can be pushed out of those sports when externally imposed body consciousness occurs.
But how do women in sports survive, thrive and find resilience in the midst of it all?
To answer this question, Urban Woman Magazine spoke to a few women sports enthusiasts.
Read their responses below.
OD
I stopped watching football as religiously as I used to because of the incessant badgering and denigration from male sports fans whenever I go to watch a game anywhere in public. Or even in conversations about sports with a man I’m getting acquainted with.
From “name 5 players you know”” mention 5 teams in the EPL” to “is it your boyfriend that introduced you to football”, every single comment from the males I’ve encountered, whenever they discover I’m a sports fan, has been patronizing at best and downright insulting at worst.
Even male childhood friends sometimes make some thinly veiled sarcastic remarks to the tune of “what do you even know about football?” despite the fact that I’ve been watching matches as long as they have. Now, I try to hide that information whenever I’m having a conversation with a man and usually refrain from engaging in football banter regardless of how tempted I might be because I’m fatigued from having to defend my “sports-fan card” time and time again.
Ways to support women in sports? Watch their games, buy the kits, and be loud in your support of women’s leagues and tournaments; contribute to bringing visibility to women sports however you can (the narrative that women sports are boring is a bare faced lie, I believed it too for the longest time until I actually tuned in, it’s just as fun as men’s).
EW
As a chronic wrestling lover, till tomorrow I know I’ll still get the comments of ‘this one go dey beat her husband oo’. Like from where to where??
Or “girls are not supposed to be watching wrestling”. Motherfucker be for fucking reallll🙄
RE
I was so interested in watching football before. Then it felt like auditioning for men.
I went on to start following women’s games but not enough outlets even air them. I loved Barca femini so much, they are excellent.
Honestly as a woman, if you are interested in sports, please watch women’s sports.
Angel Nduka-Nwosu is a writer, journalist and editor. She moonlights occasionally as a podcaster on As Angel Was Sayin’. Catch her on all socials @asangelwassayin.