The Way I see It: Skirting the rules

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The Way I see It: Skirting the rules

24 Apr

Image via Wikipedia

While reading the Saturday edition of the Star Phoenix, a short in brief caught my eye in the sports section. Normally, I wouldn’t pay much attention to the Sports In Brief because often there isn’t anything interesting that I would find. Not saying that isn’t the case for every reader. However, this one article drew in my attention.

Titled “Badminton delays ‘skirt rule’ intro” as I read I discovered that the Badminton World Federation is trying to introduce a new code of dress for female badminton players, requiring them to wear skirts or dresses at major tournaments in order to “ensure attractive presentation of badminton”. According to the article, this controversial rule will be introduced June 1.

Image via Wikipedia

You might ask why it’s controversial. Well, is there such a rule for male badminton players? Already the rule has been criticized, as some players have said it hampers their movement on the court and made them uncomfortable. This is a rule, however, and one which the head of the BWF hopes will make the sport more attractive. This means that simple skill of the player alone isn’t enough to make the sport attractive, female players have to be dressed up and objectified in order to draw in the crowds.

Players from China, Indonesia and India have been vocally against the rule, which allows players to continue to wear shorts as long as they are underneath the skirt. But what actual aspect of the sport does this help, outside of making something, in this case a female player, pretty? In hockey, helmets became mandatory in the mid 80’s, and subsequent equipment modifications have been made to help with the safety measures. Same in football, as new helmets and pads, along with face masks are always changing to make sure that the player’s safety is first and foremost in mind. Baseball has made changes, all to help make the sport, not the player, more exciting and dynamic. For all the regular viewer is concerned, they might be watching tennis or ping pong if they see a female player in a skirt. What about making equipment for the sport that helps the player, not hinders them.

Note in the above examples, in the male dominated sports, equipment changes were put in place to ensure the safety of the player. There have been a lot of changes over the decades in hockey, football and baseball. And I’m sure you could also find those for soccer as well. But for female sports, all changes that are made are designed to make the player more attractive for the viewer. Perhaps figure skating might be the only sport which takes into account the safety of the skater, but I haven’t researched that enough.

Until next time…

…keep ’em flyin’.