We all know Mary Kom. But how many of you have even heard about boxer KC Lekha? She is Kerala’s only world champion till date (in any sporting activity) and one among the five boxers in India, to win a world championship title, along with Mary Kom.

A life worth turning into a biopic, Lekha became a boxer after being an athlete, because she was not afraid to take blows on her face, which many girls of her age, refused, fearing how it could impact their future romantic relationships.

On Valentine’s Day, as we pamper our significant other (humans or cows, depending on where you are placed on the sexuality spectrum) with gifts and romantic dates, Lekha smashes all conventional notions of beauty and gender stereotypes, our society imposes on women, in one blow. And that’s precisely the attitude you need, if you want to increase the participation of girls in sports.

Privileged to moderate a session on ‘How to Increase Participation of Girls in Sports’ oragnsied by the Kerala State Women and Child Development Department.