Islamabad: Former Pakistani badminton player Manaal Khan has strongly raised her voice against the toxic culture of body shaming that athletes often face. She shared her painful personal experience after people commented on her weight during a visit to a badminton venue where she once played and won early matches.
Health Struggles Ignored by Critics
Manaal revealed that she underwent a complicated surgery almost a year ago and still struggles to walk properly. Doctors diagnosed her with endometriosis, and the high-potency medicines and injections caused her to gain more than 20 kilograms. Despite these challenges, she faced insensitive remarks within minutes of arriving at the venue.
Transitioning from her emotional post on Instagram, Manaal wrote that playing for Pakistan had always been her dream, but playing in Pakistan around people obsessed with bodies rather than performance feels exhausting. She criticised how coaches and others often judge athletes based on appearance instead of talent, hard work, or personal battles.
Call for Empathy and Better Coaching
Manaal emphasised that no one should have to explain their medical condition to justify changes in their body. She urged people to stop making hurtful comments and to understand that everyone has their own story. She also highlighted the importance of supportive coaches who help athletes grow as good human beings, not just as players.
“Playing ‘for’ Pakistan was always a dream. But playing ‘in’ Pakistan, around people who are so stuck on your body instead of your game… it’s just exhausting,” she shared. Her courageous stand has sparked conversations about mental health, empathy, and the need for a more positive environment in Pakistani sports.
Many fans and fellow athletes appreciated her honesty. This incident highlights how body shaming continues to affect sportspeople, especially women, and calls for a cultural shift toward kindness and understanding.
