Anaya Bangar, daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, recently shared her emotional journey of gender reassignment following her sex change surgery.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Anaya reflected on the challenges and triumphs she has experienced over the past eleven months, focusing on the impact of hormonal transformation on her cricket career.
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Formerly known as Aryan, Anaya has been passionate about cricket since childhood, having played for teams such as Islam Gymkhana and Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire.
While her love for the game remains strong and she aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps, Anaya’s transition has brought significant challenges. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has affected her physical capabilities, raising concerns about the loss of strength and stamina crucial for athletic performance.
Anaya also highlighted the difficulties posed by the absence of clear guidelines for transgender women in cricket. She noted that recent decisions by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prohibit trans women from competing at the highest levels, forcing her to reconsider her professional cricket ambitions.
Despite these setbacks, Anaya remains dedicated to embracing her true self and continues to play cricket at a local level. She recently celebrated a major achievement, scoring 145 runs in a match.
Anaya expressed pride in her identity and reaffirmed her determination to stay connected to the sport she loves, despite the obstacles. Her story is a powerful reminder of the journey toward self-discovery and the ongoing fight for inclusion and acceptance of transgender athletes in sports.
