Former Pakistani badminton player Manaal Khan has spoken publicly against body shaming in sports and society after sharing that she faced criticism over her weight while recovering from surgery and undergoing treatment for endometriosis.
In a series of Instagram stories posted from a badminton venue, Khan said she revisited a place where she had once played and won one of her earliest matches, expecting the experience to feel nostalgic. However, she said people began commenting on her weight within minutes of seeing her.
“Playing ‘for’ Pakistan was always a dream,” she wrote. “But playing ‘in’ Pakistan, around people who are so focused on your body instead of your game… it’s exhausting.”
Khan criticized what she described as a toxic culture that places excessive focus on physical appearance rather than athletic ability, performance, or personal struggles. She said such attitudes are common among people surrounding athletes, including some coaches.
The former athlete also opened up about her health challenges, revealing that she underwent a major surgery nearly a year ago and still struggles to walk properly.
She shared that she was diagnosed with endometriosis and has been receiving treatment involving strong medications and injections, which resulted in a weight gain of more than 20 kilograms.
Despite this, Khan emphasized that individuals should not feel pressured to explain their medical conditions to justify changes in their appearance.
“You don’t know someone’s story,” she wrote, urging people to stop making insensitive remarks about others’ bodies.
Calling the comments “predictable” and “frustrating,” Khan expressed hope that society would eventually move beyond appearance-based judgments and become more understanding toward people dealing with health issues.
She also praised supportive coaches who prioritize personal growth and character development over physical appearance alone.
“I really hope and pray we get more coaches like mine,” she wrote, “the kind who actually shape you into a good human, not just a player.”
