World Champion Anupama Ramachandran Urges Increased Female Participation in Snooker
New Delhi – Anupama Ramachandran, recently crowned world champion in snooker, is hoping her victory will inspire a new generation of female players to pick up the cue. The champion credits her family’s unwavering support-including her chartered accountant mother-and a strong network of encouragement for her success, but now focuses on broadening access to the sport for girls worldwide.
Ramachandran’s triumph represents a pivotal moment for women in snooker, a sport historically dominated by men. While the precise impact of her world title remains to be seen, she believes increased visibility of prosperous female players is crucial to dismantling barriers and fostering a sense of belonging for aspiring athletes. The rise in women’s participation globally already provides role models for young girls considering the sport, and Ramachandran hopes to amplify that effect.
“What did the world title give me? A lot,” Ramachandran shared in a recent interview. “What did it cost me? I honestly don’t know yet. Maybe I will understand that in a year or so.”
Despite her youth,Ramachandran’s vision extends beyond personal accolades. She emphasizes the importance of creating a more inclusive environment where girls feel empowered to pursue snooker, stating, “The only thing I hope for is that more girls take up this sport and believe they belong here.”
Ramachandran acknowledges the instrumental role of her family in her journey,noting that everyone contributed to her achieving this milestone. She expressed gratitude for their support, alongside the growing number of women already competing professionally, providing tangible examples for aspiring players.
As told to Aswathy Santhosh of The Bridge.