Squash World No. 18 Dipika Pallikal has boycotted the National Squash Championship over a difference in the prize money for male and female players.
The prize money for men for winning the event is Rs 1,20,000 whereas the women get Rs 50,000.
I don’t see why there should be a difference between men and women. I would have loved to play in Kerala and [I will] definitely miss playing the Nationals.
–– Deepika Pallikal
Men and Women are Paid Equally in Squash, Internationally
Malaysia’s Nicole David is ranked number one in the world. Her country recognises that. At the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments in Malaysia (now defunct) she has earned more than men.
If women have started getting equal prize money at professional tournaments around the world, why can’t the same happen in India?
– Dipika Pallikal
Squash promotes equality by paying male and female players equally across the world. So why is India doing its own thing?
India’s Women Squash Players Have Been Torch-bearers
Dipika is the face of Indian squash, and internationally she is ranked higher than her male counterpart, Saurav Ghosal. She was the first ever Indian to break into the World top 10 in the sport and she, along with Joshna Chinappa created history by winning the first-ever gold medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow.
She Might Be Good Honey, But It’s All About the Money
Prize money in a tournament, is offered to attract good players. A good player will always attract bigger audiences, which leads to larger revenues, which in turn, leads to more sponsorship.
If Pallikal’s match attracts a bigger audience than Ghosal’s, then she will get more prize money, at least that is how it should work.
The reason is the same why I haven’t played in the last three years. I feel we deserve equal pay like most of the tournaments which are becoming equal prize money on the PSA professional circuit.
–– Dipika Pallikal
(With inputs from PTI.)