25 of 33 sexual harassment complaints against coaches; Govt reveals gaps

NEW DELHI: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has received 33 complaints of sexual harassment against its coaches and administrative staff over the past ten years, indicating that more female athletes are coming forward to report such issues. Out of them, a significantly higher number of 25 complaints were filed against coaches.

This figure was revealed by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the Lok Sabha, responding to an unstarred question on Monday. According to the minister’s reply, six coaches were suspended based on the inquiry committee’s findings and the contracts of two were terminated.

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“With respect to SAI, eight complaints have been filed against administrative staff, and 25 complaints have been filed against coaches since 2016. Out of the said eight cases, two cases are currently pending. For administrative staff, one case penalty was permanent withholding full gratuity as per Rule 9 of CCS (Pension) Rules 1972, while remaining cases were closed without penalty,” the minister informed.

“For coaches, based on the findings, actions taken include six suspensions, six minor penalties, and two terminations. Further, no appeal was filed for administrative staff. However, for coaches, eight appeals have been filed by the complainant or the accused against the decisions/recommendations of the inquiry committees,” he added.

The minister’s submission came on the questions posed by Member of Parliaments (MPs) Adhikari Deepak Dev and Raja Ram Singh. The MPs asked Mandaviya about “the details of total number of complaints regarding sexual harassment received against officials, coaches and support staff associated with the ministry, SAI, affiliated national sports federations (NSFs), SAI centres and other sports institution during the last ten years and the current year”.

Revealing that the ministry doesn’t maintain data about complaints of sexual harassment filed by the sportspersons with concerned sports federations or bodies, the sports minister stated that no complaints of sexual harassments were reported against officials directly under his ministry during this period.

“The NSFs are voluntary bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 / Trusts Act / Companies Act. They are governed by their own constitution and have their own mechanism to redress the grievances/ complaints filed with them by sportspersons,” he said. “The ministry as well as the various organisations under this ministry have also established Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), which ensure that all employees/trainees/athletes at these locations have access to a mechanism for addressing complaints related to sexual harassment. No complaints in this regard have been filed in the ministry with respect to its officials during the last ten years and the current year,” he added.

TEN-YEAR RECORD AT SAI

• 33 sexual harassment complaints
• 25 complaints against coaches
• Suspension: 6 coaches. Termination: 2
• Appeals: Eight athletes weren’t satisfied with the inquiry committee’s findings
• Administrative Staff: In one case, permanent withholding full gratuity.

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