Mixed-gender sports are gaining popularity at the grassroots level through various initiatives. At Sparkling Mindz, we deeply believe that every individual is a human being first—beyond their gender. That’s why, in all the sports we play, we embrace mixed-gender teams. However, not everyone shares this perspective, which is why we partnered with Enabling Leadership to explore and understand different viewpoints through a unique project.
Our goal was to create a Project Youth Commitee, where young changemakers would research mixed-gender sports within their local communities. To support this, we leveraged Wizets, our online LMS platform, using our Wonder & Connect games to help participants craft meaningful survey questions. These questions were designed to engage with their community members and gather insights on how mixed-gender sports are perceived.
As part of this project, some of our children had the opportunity to visit Dharwad, a district in Karnataka, where Enabling Leadership runs several of its programs. We were particularly interested in their PLAY Programme, which promotes mixed-gender sports. Our objective was to understand the perspectives of various stakeholders—students, teachers, coaches, and parents—and uncover their beliefs, concerns, and experiences with mixed-gender sports.
Through our interactions, we encountered a range of viewpoints. Some parents were excited about the inclusive opportunities mixed-gender sports offer, recognizing the benefits of teamwork, mutual respect, and confidence-building for both boys and girls. Others, however, had reservations—concerns about safety, societal norms, and whether boys and girls could compete on equal terms.
One of the most powerful moments was hearing directly from the children. Many of them expressed how playing in mixed-gender teams made them feel more included, valued, and capable, breaking down gender stereotypes they had grown up with. Some girls shared how they felt empowered to take on leadership roles, while boys spoke about how they learned to appreciate different playing styles and strengths. However, outside of the programme the gender divide remained prevalent
After returning from Dharwad, we compiled our observations and insights into a report on mixed-gender sports, its importance, and recommendations for enhancing the programme. This helped us consolidate our learnings and offer meaningful suggestions for the future of Enabling Leadership.
This experience deepened our understanding of the cultural and systemic challenges surrounding mixed-gender sports. But it also reaffirmed our belief that sports have the potential to unite, empower, and redefine the way we see one another—not as separate genders, but as teammates, collaborators, and equals. Learning about the different initiatives that are taking place around the world to enable children to learn and become great leader through different mediums.
Documented by Nikhil Varma, YODA 27
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