A journey to self-discovery

Anaya, earlier known as Aryan, recently shared her experience with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a critical step in aligning her physical appearance with her true gender identity. The HRT process brought changes to her strength and athletic abilities, yet her passion for cricket — a legacy inspired by her father — remains steadfast.

However, former India women’s team captain Diana Edulji noted that Anaya’s aspirations to play cricket at the highest level may face obstacles, citing that “ICC doesn’t allow such persons to play in the women’s game.” Her comment underscores the complexities transgender athletes encounter in sports, where policies often lag behind evolving understandings of gender identity. Anaya hopes for more inclusive guidelines that support diverse identities in athletics, allowing athletes to pursue their dreams without unnecessary limitations.

Anaya’s story is not just about personal transition but also highlights the broader challenges faced by transgender athletes in sports. The current regulations lag behind the evolving understanding of gender identity, making it difficult for transgender athletes to continue participating at competitive levels. Anaya hopes for more inclusive policies that can accommodate the diverse identities of athletes, ensuring they can pursue their passions without unnecessary obstacles.

Gender transition is a deeply personal journey, often fraught with societal challenges.

While it can offer significant physical, emotional, and mental relief, breaking through societal stereotypes is no easy feat, says sports psychologist, Jaini Nandu. “Anaya’s decision to pursue a cricket career is even more daunting, as athletes in the spotlight are constantly scrutinized. She’ll undoubtedly face criticism from those who seek to undermine her achievements. The priority is to safeguard the athlete and the team from undue scrutiny. It involves recognizing the sensitivity of the situation, managing emotional responses, and developing appropriate coping strategies”, the psychologist further added.

Dr Gourav Siwas, who as a Plastic surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (Delhi) has performed such surgeries, says, “Gender reassignment is a series of surgeries Involving face surgery, genital surgery, breast surgery etc. These are complex surgeries requiring a high level of skills. Surgeries are long, take hours and are conducted in stages. Patients do suffer social challenges like acceptability by society. Social awkwardness is also there and society is also evolving and accepting trans men and women. Basically, they are like a female in a male body. So it’s very difficult for a person also to live like this all of their life. They feel so free after their transformation. Also, all these surgeries are conducted after prior evaluation and clearance by a psychiatrist,” the surgeon concluded.

A complex case

When divinity is confused and transgenders come into existence,who are we to comment. Whether she (I use the word she because it has both she and he in it, like the transgender) can play in women’s cricket tournaments, I am confused — she will possess strength little lesser than men but much greater than that of a woman so it may be an unfair to play in a women’s team.” Nilima Joglekar, former woman player and a match referee.