BEING a woman involved in sport is difficult. You don’t get much recognition — not that that is the motivation for taking part — and the pay is ludicrously low. Young girls aspiring to be an athlete don’t have many role models to look up to, something that Ruqsana Begum discovered at a young age.
Today, the problem isn’t as bad as it was 20 years ago. The success of the England national football team at the Women’s World Cup has thrown women’s sport to the fore and girls now have a larger pool of idols then ever before.
As I speak to Begum, it becomes clear that she should be mentioned in the same conversations as star players Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton.
Gisele Pelicot said ‘shame must change sides.’ We may think we agree, but, argues LOUISE RAW, society still has some way to go
Red Roses can further cement tournament favourite status when they face Samoa
Forward looks to put injury frustration behind her to spearhead WSL campaign
Mary Kom’s fists made history in the boxing world. Malak Mesleh’s never got the chance. One story ends in glory, the other in grief — but both highlight the defiance of women who dare to fight, writes JOHN WIGHT


