"Visibility can play a crucial role in empowering women"
Manisha Tailor is no stranger to breaking barriers.
The award-winning UEFA A Licensed football coach and author is back with Women: The Heartbeat of Sport, a powerful new book spotlighting South Asian women in sport.
With stories that inspire and provoke thought, the book is set to become an essential read for young adults, aspiring athletes, and anyone passionate about inclusion in sport.
Having already made waves with her first book, Dream Like Me: South Asian Football Trailblazers, Manisha now turns her focus to the women who have been driving change, often behind the scenes and against the odds.
Speaking exclusively to DESIblitz, she opens up about the book, the importance of visibility, and how sport must evolve to reflect the world it claims to serve.
A Trailblazer On and Off the Pitch
Before entering the football world, Manisha Tailor trained as a head teacher and worked in primary education.
Her transition to football coaching was deeply personal. She previously told DESIblitz about how her twin brother’s mental illness led to this journey.
Since then, she’s dedicated more than two decades to advocating for inclusion and mental health in sport.
Now based in Singapore and working in women’s football, she also holds advisory roles with The FA, The League Coaches Association, and Sporting Equals.
She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for Services to Football and Diversity in Sport, cementing her status as a changemaker in British sport.
Championing Representation Through Storytelling
Women: The Heartbeat of Sport brings together short stories of international South Asian sportswomen.
Drawing on her decade of experience at the top levels of professional sport, Manisha uses this platform to challenge the barriers women still face.
She explained: “It is brilliant to be able to work with Hope Road Publishing, a publisher that is focused on stories of identity and multiculturalism.
“Hope Road truly believe in ensuring that there are equitable opportunities for diverse authors to tell and share stories from the heart – stories that evoke thinking around societal change.”
For Manisha, visibility is more than just representation; it’s empowerment.
She added: “Visibility can play a crucial role in empowering women and demonstrating that achieving dreams and ambitions is possible.
“Visibility can inspire, motivate, and pave the way for other women and girls to pursue their goals.
“When women are visible in various fields, industries, and positions of leadership, it challenges stereotypes, breaks down barriers, and encourages others to believe in their own potential.”
Stories of Strength, Belief, and Leadership
The book features a wide array of voices, each one shining a light on different aspects of the South Asian sporting experience.
From mental health to leadership, and from resilience to ambition, each story reflects a personal journey that others can learn from.
Aisha Nazia, a trailblazer in global sports marketing and brand management, shares the power of belief:
“There were times when people doubted me, simply because I was a woman or because I didn’t fit into the traditional mould of a sports professional.
“I had to work twice as hard to prove myself. I learned that believing in yourself is the most powerful tool you can have.”
Former England cricketer Isa Guha reframes failure as something positive:
“I’ve always seen failure as a learning experience, so all you have to do is have the courage to try.”
Licensed Football Intermediary Noorafshan Mirza offers similar encouragement:
“Follow your passions in life and trust in your instincts. Above all, believe in yourself!”
Mental Health and Resilience
A key theme in the book is mental well-being. The women featured speak openly about the pressures of elite sport and how they’ve built inner strength to navigate adversity.
Ami Parekh, a former competitive figure skater who represented India internationally, gives practical advice on mindset:
“There may always be challenges along your journey, no matter what age you are or what you have already achieved.
“Sticking to your goals and values, channelling your positivity by focusing on solutions, taking those baby steps, and knowing your allies will take you a long way!
“Mental flexibility and finding ways to enjoy the process can also bring amazing surprises in life.”
World Muay Thai boxing champion Ruqsana Begum’s journey is defined by inner strength and adaptability:
“The journey of life is getting to know yourself and evolving through challenges and obstacles. It’s there to test you and elevate you, so embrace it and move through it with conviction and confidence.”
Sport as a Tool for Societal Change
At its core, Women: The Heartbeat of Sport is a rallying cry for education, inclusion, and social impact.
Manisha Tailor believes sport has the power to push societal change forward and that education is the key.
By giving a platform to diverse female athletes, the book highlights how sport can become more equitable, both on and off the field.
Maria Jamila Khan, a footballer for the Pakistan Women’s National Team, captures the essence of this mission:
“Find something you are passionate about and work relentlessly towards leaving that space better than you found it.”
Women: The Heartbeat of Sport isn’t just a book; it’s a movement.
By platforming voices that are too often sidelined, Manisha Tailor challenges the status quo and offers a roadmap for what inclusive sport can look like.
The stories are real, the emotions raw, and the message clear: change is happening, and it’s being led by women.
Women: The Heartbeat of Sport releases on July 24, 2025, and for more details about the book, visit Hope Road Publishing.
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