Many felt that a woman cannot talk about sports: Zainab Abbas

Presenter details her journey into the field helmed by men for decades

Popular sports host Zainab Abbas's journey to fame has not been an easy one. And the celebrated personality, in a recent TED Talk, revealed the challenges she had to face while marking her presence as a female sports presenter in Pakistan.

Zainab’s daring discourse at the TEDWomen 2020 featured a prerecorded session titled ‘The missing sportsmanship in sports’ and a line-up of speakers. The virtual event that highlights the journey of prominent personalities also shed light on renowned females in the field of sports.

Speaking of her journey, Zainab recalled how growing up she had always been vehement about playing sports, predominately cricket in the company of her cousins. "The idea of sportsmanship stems from the fact that sport is generally an equaliser, independent of gender, race, or skin colour. It focuses on your talent, skills, strength, and above all, merit," she remarked.

Despite her passion for the field, Zainab had to face numerous obstacles throughout her journey before becoming a successful sports presenter. She also reminisced how as a student she didn’t miss a single opportunity to follow what she sought for, primarily cricket. And to her parents’ dismay, that zeal would push her to participate in all sport-related events.

She further talked about her experience after graduation which led her to disconnect from the world of sports and join a corporate organisation in London. This is where she was subjected to racial discrimination and bigotry as well.

But following this, Zainab received the opportunity of auditioning for a World Cup event in Pakistan, albeit, the interviewers doubted her knowledge of sports on the basis of her gender. And among these hurdles, she also relayed having a hearing impairment which coupled with having no media training, and no room for mistakes left her no choice but to polish her presenting skills.

“I did not have a mentor, I was not a TV buff and I was just following my dream and passion. When I did enter the field, there were a lot of people who made fun of me because they believed that a woman cannot be talking about sports,” said Zainab.

Zainab had experienced first-hand discrimination from her colleagues, who hurled allegations against her for ‘imitating content’ and judging her existence as a sports presenter on the basis of ‘nepotism’.

“Focus is the one thing that kept me going even in times of adversity. There was also a time when some of the cricketing legends that I looked up to, refused to give me an interview due to my gender.” Zainab confessed how heartbreaking her experience was, because as a child these were the heroes that she looked up to.

After a couple years into recognition, the two cricketers who refused to give her an interview willingly gave her one, acknowledging her worth and how she cemented her way into the industry.

“I think the world was just not prepared. They were not used to seeing a woman taking the lead in this field that has been helmed and represented by men for so many years,” she concluded, acknowledging inclusivity as true sportsmanship.