Women have been active participants in formal sports competitions for nearly as long as their male counterparts have been, yet their journey for recognition and equity in sports has been a protracted and challenging one. This struggle extends beyond the realms of women's cricket and football, encompassing various disciplines.

Despite the prevalence of men's sporting events throughout the year, The Daily Star asserts that the noteworthy achievements in the women's circuit during 2023 have set the stage for reshaping perceptions of the overall sporting landscape.

The success of the FIFA Women's World Cup played the role of a catalyst in making the year a significant period for women's sports, surpassing expectations in terms of attendance, viewership, and revenue, contributing to the growing influence and popularity of women in the sports arena. Let's revisit the cream of the crop from a stellar year.

Football fever Down Under

Australia and New Zealand jointly hosted the Women's World Cup from July 20 to August 20, captivating audiences and setting remarkable benchmarks. Boasting nearly a whopping 10,000 fans more per game than the 2019 tournament in France, the event stood as a resounding triumph.

Spain players celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup in Sydney on August 20, 2023. Photo: Reuters

However, the joyous atmosphere was tempered by Spain's post-victory controversies. Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissing Jenny Hermoso during the medal ceremony led to his eventual resignation three weeks later. A week prior to this, head coach Jorge Vilda was fired amid outrage for having fostered a toxic environment for players.

Vilda, however, quickly found a new opportunity with the Moroccan Football Federation -- which has been lauded for its investments in women's sports -- shedding light on the need to address the prevalent male-dominated decision-making landscape in sports governing bodies.

All-time attendance record set in unlikely event

In an unexpected twist, a college volleyball event in Nebraska in August drew an astonishing 92,003 attendees, surpassing the previous world record set during a UEFA Champions League football game between Barcelona and Wolfsburg in 2022.

Cricket leads the strides in gender equality

Cricket took centre stage in 2023 as a trailblazer for gender equality. The International Cricket Council (ICC) made history by declaring equal prize money for both men's and women's teams at ICC events.

ICC Chairman Greg Barclay hailed this decision as a pivotal step forward. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) echoed this sentiment, ensuring that England's women cricketers would receive equal match fees as their male counterparts.

The Women's ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa further solidified its standing as the most-watched women's cricket event, accumulating an impressive 192 million hours of viewership.

Tennis triumph: Coco Gauff steals the show

The US Open witnessed a historic moment with Coco Gauff's victory, not only showcasing her exceptional on-court skills but also drawing record-breaking viewership. Over 3.4 million viewers tuned in to ESPN, surpassing the viewership for the men's final -- in which Novak Djokovic pulled off a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title -- by over a million.

Coco Gauff celebrates after winning the US Open in New York on September 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Gauff's win, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Sexes match in 1973, underscored the five decades of equal prize money for male and female players at the tournament.

A glimpse into the future

Consulting firm Deloitte's November report projected a significant surge in revenue from elite women's sports, estimating a 300 percent increase from its 2021 forecast, exceeding $1 billion in 2024. Jennifer Haskel, insights lead for Deloitte's Sports Business Group, attributed this growth to exceptional progress in women's sports globally, attracting heightened interest from investors.

It is anticipated that for the first time, there will be equal numbers of female and male athletes in the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024. However, amidst the triumphs, the year illuminated areas requiring improvement. While the journey toward a level playing field remains a marathon, the trends indicate a potential turning point for women in sports, poised for transformative change.