How Pune's queer sports club is changing the game

Time of India

2 days ago

Pune: What started as a handful of friends from the queer community meeting to play sports has transformed into a buzzing collective of over 180 members under the Pune Queer Sports Club umbrella.
For many queer individuals in India, the idea of stepping onto a sports field has long been accompanied by fear and hesitation rather than the rush of a good game. The anxiety of being stared at, judged for one's gait, voice or choice of clothes and the constant pressure to fit into narrow gender norms often pushes LGBTQIA+ people away from team sports altogether.
But in Pune, a weekend game of cricket last year sparked a movement to make sports more inclusive.
"A few of us are very enthusiastic about sports, so we decided to organise our own matches," said Vallabh Jagtap, founder of Pune Queer Sports Club. "Every weekend, our friends would bring more friends, and the group kept increasing. We organised a badminton tournament last June to celebrate Pride month and got over 30 sign-ups.
Now we have football, basketball, table tennis, swimming, chess and more," he said.
Launched in March last year by a few sports enthusiasts from the LGBTQIA+ community, the initiative is building a safe, inclusive environment where queer individuals can come together to play without fear of judgment or exclusion.
"I used to love playing cricket but stopped in school because people called me effeminate and it made me self-conscious. Last year, I started playing again. In one match, we needed four runs off the last ball. I hit a boundary and won the game. My teammates lifted me up and carried me around the field. It felt like a dream come true," said a club member.
Connected by sports, the club breaks barriers and builds friendships. Everyone who joins the games is either part of the community or a trusted ally introduced by a member.
Sessions rotate between venues across the city, ensuring that tediously long commutes don't hinder participation. "We have members living across the city, so we book different grounds to make it convenient. Connecting through sports builds strong friendships and breaks a lot of stereotypes along the way," said Jagtap.
For many members, these games are not just about fitness or recreation but about reclaiming space and joy.
"This is the first space where I can be fully myself and still be competitive. I do not have to choose between my identity and my love for sports," a member said. Those interested in joining can reach out to the club through their Instagram page. There are no membership fees, only a shared commitment to inclusion and fair play.
The club operates on a no-frills basis. Members bring their own equipment and share costs for ground bookings. For tournaments, they seek sponsors and often pool resources if someone needs gear to play. And what they receive in return is invaluable. "Before this club, I never played a sport in public. Now I play badminton every weekend. No one makes fun of how I move or speak. It is freeing in a way I never expected," said another member.
In a country where both queerness and sports have long had rigid expectations, this club offers something rare: a space to play without pressure.