If, with great power comes great responsibility, then it would, perhaps, not be amiss to say that a time for celebration also calls for a period of reflection. This is particularly true in the case of international sporting tournaments such as the Asian Games, in which women athletes from India have been doing increasingly well. It is not just in the Asiad that India's medal tally has seen significant contributions from women; the latter shone in the Commonwealth Games earlier this year as well. While this indicates that certain kinds of investments made by the government - such as Khelo India, a flagship Central project to find new sporting talent - are beginning to bear fruit, it must be remembered that a number of serious deficiencies still persist. The most apparent of these is the glaring lack of infrastructure and funds. But these are, in turn, informed by political apathy and can be a balancing act. While a significant chunk of the Union budget for sport was marked for the Khelo India programme, funds for the Sport Authority of India was slashed by Rs 66 crore, thus crippling it further with regard to its ability to help sports federations in the country. Of what use is the unearthing of new talent, especially that of young women, if the infrastructure and training required to hone their skills are not available?

This question begs further reflection when the origins of the women athletes who have been making their presence felt on the international stage are considered. A number of them hail from small towns and rural areas in India. This is heartening, for it indicates two things: the democratic direction in which sport in India is heading, and the fact that girls, however slowly, are being encouraged to pursue sport as a viable profession. This is no minor achievement in a nation that has traditionally frowned upon women participating in professions considered the domains of men. Moreover, the commitment of these young women to the idea of India - and their celebration of their country on the world stage - is refreshing, for it highlights a kind of patriotism that is far removed from the aggressive brand of nationalism being propagated in India today. This is evident in the way in which Hima Das - she was part of the silver medal-winning relay team at the Asiad, and also became the first Indian to win a gold medal in a track event at the world under-20 athletics championships earlier this year - wears a traditional Assamese gamchha around her shoulders when she competes.

Such resilience is heartening. But the obstacles faced by these women are not just restricted to the lack of funding and infrastructure. Social discrimination, unethical treatment and the policing of women's bodies run deep in sport, and even inform the laws governing sports bodies and tournaments. A case in point is Dutee Chand, the female sprinter who had her gender questioned and had to fight for her right to compete after the International Association of Athletics Federations banned her for having high testosterone levels. These prejudices - they are more difficult to identify and combat than the more obvious problems such as the lack of funds - must be actively rooted out, both by the State and larger society.