Former Pakistani badminton player Manaal Khan has spoken publicly about body shaming in sports.
She shared her experience of being criticised over her weight while recovering from surgery and undergoing treatment for endometriosis.
In a series of Instagram stories, Khan said she recently returned to a badminton venue where she had once celebrated an important victory.
She said the visit, which she expected to be emotional and nostalgic, instead became upsetting after several people commented on her appearance shortly after seeing her.
“Playing for Pakistan was always a dream,” she wrote. “But playing ‘in’ Pakistan, around people who are so stuck on your body instead of your game, it’s just exhausting.”
Khan criticised what she described as a culture in which athletes are judged more on appearance than on performance, talent or personal circumstances.
She said such attitudes are common not only among the public but also within sports environments.
The former player also shared details about her health condition, revealing that she underwent a major surgery nearly a year ago and is still recovering physically.
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According to Khan, she was diagnosed with Endometriosis and has been receiving treatment involving strong medication and injections.
She said the treatment caused her to gain more than 20 kilogrammes in weight.
She added that people often make assumptions without understanding what others may be experiencing privately.
“You don’t know someone’s story,” she wrote, urging people to avoid making insensitive comments about bodies and appearance.
Khan said she hopes attitudes around body image and health challenges will improve over time, particularly in sports communities where athletes already face pressure to perform.
She also praised coaches who support athletes beyond competition results, saying mentorship should focus on personal growth as well as 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.”
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