Kochi Startup Creates Safe Space for Women New to Sports

Haripriya P Raju wanted to try playing sports as an adult, but every option she found in Kochi, India was either for kids or serious athletes. The spaces that did exist felt intimidating and male-dominated.

So the 26-year-old business consultant and her friend Sanna Stephen created their own solution. Do Culture is a women-only sports community designed specifically for beginners who want to try physical activities without pressure or judgment.

"Women were often reduced to spectators or they completely stayed away," says Haripriya. She grew up watching women enjoy sports from the sidelines, but rarely saw them on the field.

The startup has already organized three sessions, mostly focused on football and badminton. Most participants had never played before. The focus isn't on competition or skill but simply on moving, playing, and having fun.

Finding resources proved challenging. Most football turfs were already rented to academies and companies. The founders also struggled to find a female coach.

Some men questioned why they needed a women-only space. Haripriya's answer is simple: men already have plenty of options. "The reason why women don't get into sports isn't that they're not interested. It's because they feel judged."

Sruthi Suresh, a 27-year-old software developer, had been searching for exactly this kind of opportunity. Even at her workplace, sports training only happened during tournaments, and the turfs were mostly filled with men.

"All of us were strangers, but we had a lot of fun," Sruthi says. "By the end of the session, we had become friends."

The Ripple Effect

Do Culture is creating more than just athletic opportunities. By removing the fear of judgment, the community is helping women overcome internal resistance to leaving their homes for physical activity.

The women-only format creates instant camaraderie among strangers. Participants bond through shared experience rather than competition.

At just 199 rupees (about $2.40) per session, the barrier to entry is low. Sessions happen on Sundays, alternating between sports.

The founders plan to expand into adventure sports like surfing and hope to reach other districts across Kerala state. They're spreading the word through social media and participant referrals.

Every woman who attends leaves excited, but most admitted they initially resisted the idea of going. That's exactly the mindset Do Culture aims to change, one Sunday session at a time.