Aprilia Manganang is an Indonesian volleyball player who played professional volleyball as a female athlete for nearly 10 years. But shockingly after retirement, she has come out publicly as a male.

Gender Controversies With Female Athletes

This is not the first time that any female athlete has been charged with gender fraud. Nancy Navalta, a Philippine runner was charged with hiding real gender. Navalta had clocked 11.44 secs in a 100-meter dash before the 1996 Atalanta Olympics.

"Flat chest, muscled physique and whippy moustache" - female athletes with these features always had to go through some controversy. Society never applauded a woman with features and power like men. In India female athletes also go through the same kind of treatment. However, it was sprinter Dutee Chand who was the first to come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community publicly.

With all these sayings, female athletes need to pass some testosterone levels to prove their position in the female category. Perhaps, some also have taken advantage of having more testosterone levels and won competitions.

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Aprilia Manganang: A female player who turned out to be a man

The 5'7" outside hitter appeared as a female athlete until her retirement in 2020. Aprilia Manganang was born with hypospadias. Hypospadias is a common variation in the fetal development of the in which penis the urethra does not open from its usual location in the head of the penis.

However, Manganang discovered his condition later in his volleyball career. Until then she was brought up like a girl child. Though she could feel she was different from other girls.

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It was at the 2015 South East Asian Games when the doubt started rising. The Philippines team appealed that Manganang should undergo a gender test. However, the appeal was rejected by the competition's committee.

With all these going around him, he went on to become a bronze medal at the 2017 SEA Games. Along with that he also won four domestic titles. To be clear, he won all of those medals as a female.

Aprilia Manganang and the Gender Controversy

Post-retirement, Aprilia went on to serve the Indonesian Army. The army medical revealed that he has Hypospadias. They also confirmed the fact that they are all fine with him being a male or female.

Later, the Indonesian army accepted his wish for corrective surgery and to be legally recognized as male. In a press conference set by the Army he said,

This is a moment I've been waiting for. I am so happy. I am grateful to all of the doctors who have helped me,

After his first few phases of his surgery

Army Chief of Staff General Andi Perkasa stressed that Aprilia is not transgender. Moreover, the Army also accepted his appeal to legally recognize him as male.

This news has brought happiness to the fighters of gender discrimination. All of Indonesia has been supportive of him considering his tough life till now.

Renowned Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw was in attendance to witness the exhilarating competition at the Men's Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders showcased their prowess on the court against the defending Champions, Sir Safety Perugia. The championships currently on-going in Bengaluru, delivered an exciting display of skill and sportsmanship.

Shaw, known for his exceptional cricketing abilities, is extending his support beyond the cricket field to back the Ahmedabad Defenders. His presence undoubtedly elevated the spirit of the team and inspired them to give their best performance.

"I'm thrilled to be here and lend my support to the Ahmedabad Defenders. Sports unite us, and I believe in cheering for excellence, regardless of the arena. I wish the team the very best and hope they make our country proud. This is an incredible opportunity for Indian Volleyball as the boys are playing against the best in the world and this will only help them gain more experience." expressed Prithvi Shaw.

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Fans and enthusiasts were excited to see Shaw grace the event with his presence. His attendance added an extra layer of excitement to an already anticipated championship.

The tournament will go on till 10^th of December at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Ahmedabad Defenders will find themselves in Pool A, facing the defending champions, Sir Sicoma Perugia from Italy, and Brazil's Minas Tênis Clube (Itambé Minas). In Pool B, Halkbank Spor Kulübü from Turkey, Sada Cruzeiro Volei from Brazil, and Japan's Suntory Sunbirds are grouped.  
 
The match tickets can be purchased at BookMyShow.    
  
The Men's Volleyball Club World Championships 2023 will be telecast live in India on Sony Sports Network across Sony Ten 1 & Sony Ten 3 channels and the broadcast will be shown globally on Volleyball World. Fans in India can also stream the tournament online on FanCode.

Matches for 9^th December 2023 -  
5.00 PM â€“ SF 1
8.30 PM - SF 2

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, who won two silver medals in the Asian Games, will challenge the four-year ban imposed on her by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). She had failed the dope test of banned substances outside the tournament of NADA.

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The 27-year-old Dutee was banned by Nada over failed dope test on Thursday. The 100m national record holder's 2 samples were taken in December last year. They were found to contain other anabolic agents - SARMS, which are on WADA's 2023 banned substances list. After that, these samples were taken on 5 and 26 December and both were found positive for the same substance.

Meanwhile, SARMS are non-steroidal substances. These are commonly used for osteoporosis (bone-related disease), anaemia (lack of blood), and in patients recovering from wounds. The ban on Dutee Chand will be effective from January 3 this year. All her competitive results from the date of the first sample drawn on December 5, 2022, will be deleted. While Dutee Chand's lawyer Parth Goswami told news agency PTI on Friday that the player has been a clean athlete throughout her professional career and it was a case of inadvertent consumption of the substance.

Earlier, Dutee Chand won silver medals in 100m and 200m events at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. She also holds the national record of 11.17 seconds in 100m from 2021. Goswami said, "For us, this is a clear case of unintentional consumption of a banned substance. We were clearly able to establish the source of the substance in the body, which is a substantial proof of lack of intent. The substance was never used to gain any sporting advantage."

"We are in process of filing an appeal. We are hopeful that we will be able to convince the appeal panel. Dutee is the pride of India and is a clean athlete. She has had an illustrious career of over a decade. She has undergone hundreds of dope tests internationally and nationally and has always been clean in her long career." added Goswami.

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Dutee Chand and her lawyer had also claimed before the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP) of NADA that it was a case of inadvertent consumption.

"The athlete and her counsel had without refuting the findings of the NDTL (National Dope Testing Laboratory) report stated that the consumption of the said substance was unintentional and the ingestion of the same had been advised by the physiotherapist who was being regularly consulted by the athlete," said the ADDP order.

She stands nearly 6 feet tall. She is a central blocker who blocks the opponent's brut smashes. Moreover, she is a Sub-Junior, Junior Volleyball player from Bengal. She has also represented Calcutta University in many tournaments. Furthermore, she is also a Khelo India Participant. Well, these are all the achievements of Poushali Mallick in her short volleyball career yet. However, she wants more. In fact, her goal is to make India and Bengal a Volleyball powerhouse. Poushali shared her thoughts on that with an exclusive interview with us.

While sharing her views on the current scenario as a Volleyball professional, Poushali told that associations lack the infrastructure to help the game level up. Volleyball, which is an indoor game gets played and practised outdoors throughout the year. Even the players get the wooden courts only when they play in the national tournaments. Otherwise, it's all sweat and soil for every player out there.

Not only the infrastructure, but the lack of guidance is also a major issue at the ground level. "There is a lack of trained trainers or coaches at the base level. Sometimes the trainers do not even know what the players should do when injured", Poushali told us. However, she also thinks that there is not enough money in the game for the coaches to get trained or even make it a full-time job. Hence, it becomes tough for them as well.

Read Also: Aprilia Manganang: A female player who turned out to be a man

Although, according to her, at the ground level there is a lack of "talent pool" as well. "Sometimes it is not only the talent but lack of tall athletes is also a major issue as well", she told us. "Well, coaches tell us if you are tall enough to play volleyball, we will make you the best, but we can not make you taller", she added.

When asked about financial help and job securities of players, Poushali shared the sorrows of every other player who plays Indian sports other than cricket and football. "The government jobs are now less. Only Rail, Police and Post Office India recruits India level players. There are not many opportunities for state-level players as of now like other sports", Poushali expressed with a worry in her voice.

"To be fair, the clubs are not wealthy enough to support the players that much financially. The jobs are getting less day by day. Players somehow need support from the associations or government to continue playing."

Poushali Mallick on financial condition and job oppurtunities for players

The Indian Government has already implemented a few projects like Khelo India and Fit India to nurture the young talents of the country. Poushali who got third place with the Bengal U-21 team in Khelo India 2019 thinks it to be helpful enough for the players. "Players who do well in Khelo India get the chances to represent India sooner with the limelight on the tournament", said Poushali.

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Although Bengal Women's Volleyball team is one of the strongest in India, she thinks they can improve a lot. Setting camps and practice throughout the year can help that cause. Moreover, girls do not have someone exemplary in the game to look at as well.

"You only need just a ball to play". But, young players do not have players to get inspired from like other sports. We need to change that for upcoming generations."

Poushali on future of next generation vlooeyball players

With a hope to change the game, the 2015 sub-junior National champion, 2017 junior Nationa Champion urges the next generation to take up the game and make India an Asian powerhouse.

The golden boy of Indian sports is back doing what he does best. Neeraj Chopra, the javelin thrower has joined 131 other Indian athletes in the national camp at Patiala. The camp kicked off on 15th October and will go on till 31st December.

Neeraj Chopra created history earlier this year by winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal in athletics. He made the whole of India stand and clap when he threw 87.58m in Tokyo Olympics 2020. Neeraj was only the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

Just like other sporting heroes of India, Neeraj was welcomed back into the country with huge accolades. Many brands, news channels and media houses approached him for media releases and interviews. Even his CRED App advertisement got trending and many appreciated his acting skills as well.

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It is hard to stay grounded after receiving so much love, fame, and limelight all of a sudden. And exactly it is where he differed from others. The 23-year-old is fulfilling his dreams and making his parents proud. He thanked the fans for their love and support and asked them to keep supporting the Indian athletes in the days and years to come.

Also read: Neeraj Chopra Biography, Medal, Olympic Gold, Age, Elevation Career

Due to his busy schedule, he wanted to take an off time in 2021. However, with a goal to defend his commonwealth and Asian game golds, Neeraj has come back to training.

Neeraj was the last one to join the national camp at the National Institue of Sports (NIS) in Punjab. The 2020 Olympic Gold medalist will have a busy schedule in 2022 with World Championship in July next year.

Indian ace sprinter Dutee Chand, Hima Das and discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur are also in the camp training for their next schedule.

Dutee Chand, the Indian sprinter has qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020. This will be Dutee Chand's second Olympic in a row. She had also qualified for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

In 2016, Dutee had became the the first Indian woman athlete to qualify for 100m after 36 years. Dutee Chand qualified for both 100m and 200m events/. The qualification was by the virtue of the World Rankings quota as the qualification cut-off period ended June 29.

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For your information, if an athlete fails to breach the direct qualification standards for the Olympics then the World Athletics rankings provides an alternate route to qualify.

Dutee Chand's 200 meter timing at the Open Nationals in Ranchi in 2019 was 23.17 seconds. That meant she had to qualify through the ranking process for the Tokyo Olympics.

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Dutee, who improved her national record earlier this month at Indian Grand Prix IV with 11.17 second run in the 100m but couldn't breach the Tokyo qualifying mark of 11.15 secs, saw her ranking improved to 44 in the 100m. 

In the 100 metres, Dutee Chand ran her best run with 11.17 second run at the Indian Grand Prix IV earlier this month. But again, it was not enough for her to qualify directly for the Tokyo games. Though, that timing took her World Ranking to 44 which is enough to get an Olympic berth.

However, the bad news for the Indian fans was Himu Das' injury. Hima is yet to qualify for the Tokyo Games. Check out Indian medal contenders at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.