Former Pakistani badminton player Manaal Khan has spoken out against body shaming in sports and society after revealing that she was criticized over her weight while recovering from surgery and undergoing treatment for Endometriosis.
In a series of Instagram stories shared from a badminton venue, Manaal said she recently returned to a place where she had once played and won one of her earliest matches. However, instead of feeling nostalgic, she said several people immediately commented on her appearance and weight.
“Playing for Pakistan was always a dream,” she wrote. “But playing in Pakistan, around people who are so focused on your body instead of your game, is exhausting.”
The former national player criticized what she described as a toxic culture in sports where athletes are judged by their appearance rather than their talent, performance, or personal struggles.
Manaal said such attitudes are still common among people surrounding athletes, including coaches and members of the sports community.
She also opened up about her health condition, revealing that she underwent a complicated surgery nearly a year ago and still struggles to walk properly.
According to Manaal, she was diagnosed with Endometriosis and has been receiving treatment involving strong medicines and injections, which caused her to gain more than 20 kilograms.
Despite sharing details about her medical condition, Manaal stressed that nobody should have to explain changes in their appearance to avoid judgment.
“You don’t know someone’s story,” she wrote while urging people to stop making insensitive comments about others’ bodies.
Calling the remarks “predictable” and “frustrating,” she said she hopes society can move beyond appearance-based judgments and become more empathetic toward people dealing with health challenges.
Manaal also praised supportive coaches who focus on helping athletes grow as individuals rather than judging them solely on physical appearance or performance.
“I really hope and pray we get more coaches like mine,” she wrote. “The kind who actually shape you into a good human, not just a player.”
The former badminton star has previously spoken openly about issues faced by athletes in Pakistan, including harassment, favoritism, politics, and lack of support within sports institutions. Earlier in 2024, Manaal announced her retirement from badminton while highlighting mental health struggles and systemic problems within the sport.
Who is Manaal Khan?
Manaal Khan is a former Pakistani badminton player and multiple-time national champion. She won the national Under-16 title three times and the Under-19 title twice while representing Pakistan in international badminton events.
