In the heart of Haryana, a state long known for its male-dominated wrestling culture, Usha Sharma is rewriting the narrative. As India's first female wrestling coach, she operates a women-only training center alongside her husband, offering young women a pathway to defy societal norms and break cycles of poverty.
"Wrestling isn't just a sport here – it's a tool for transformation," Sharma told KhabarAsia.com. Her academy has become a sanctuary for girls from rural communities, where training sessions double as lessons in confidence and financial independence. Many alumni have secured sports scholarships and competitive jobs, challenging traditional gender roles in the process.
While the school focuses on athletic skill development, its broader mission resonates across Asia's social development landscape. Participants describe wrestling as their "passport to dignity," with the program serving as a blueprint for similar initiatives addressing gender parity in education and employment.
