Is it right to dictate what one can or cannot wear? The debate is on since the Perth Cricket Administration’s diktat to women journalists and sports presenters during the recently-concluded Perth Test between Australia and South Africa.
Women cricket writers Melinda Farrell and Firdose Moonda of ESPN Cricinfo were stopped from entering the WACA members’ area, saying what they were wearing was ‘indecent’.
The writers took to Twitter to share the incident, and PCA was tried in the social media court. The administration later issued an apology saying the ladies were dressed “fine”, but sparked a debate if it’s their place to dictate such terms. Here’s what female sports presenters and commentators back home have to say:
Shonali Nagrani:It is amusingly surprising that such a diktat is coming from Australia. They are quite casual in their approach so it does come as a bit of a surprise really. But then, as long as you are not distracting the cricketers with your dressing sense, or walking with stilettos on the pitch, I think it’s fine. To be honest, if there is a similar rule for men, then I guess it’s okay for women too.
{{/usCountry}}Shonali Nagrani:It is amusingly surprising that such a diktat is coming from Australia. They are quite casual in their approach so it does come as a bit of a surprise really. But then, as long as you are not distracting the cricketers with your dressing sense, or walking with stilettos on the pitch, I think it’s fine. To be honest, if there is a similar rule for men, then I guess it’s okay for women too.
{{/usCountry}}Anjum Chopra: My only point is that, if there is a rule, you should not break it just because it exists. In a corporate set up, you wouldn’t expect someone to dress up in casuals and meet the Managing directors and CEO’s of companies, right?
Mayanti Langer: I am not aware of the regulations so I can’t really say much on that. There are rules and regulations everywhere. I have hosted a World Cup match in Perth before and I wasn’t given any given any diktat.
Karishma Kotak: No one can tell anyone what to wear and what not to wear As long as you are not offending anyone or wearing see-through tops, I guess it’s alright?”