New Delhi: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has received 33 complaints of sexual harassment against its coaches and management staff in the last ten years, indicating that more women athletes are coming forward to report such issues. Of these, a significantly higher number of 25 complaints were filed against coaches.This figure was disclosed by the Sports Minister. Mansakh Mandaviya Six coaches were suspended and contracts of two were terminated based on the findings of the inquiry committee, according to the minister’s reply while answering a non-starred question in the Lok Sabha on Monday.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“As per SAI, eight complaints have been filed against management staff, and 25 complaints against coaches since 2016. Two of the eight cases are currently pending. For administrative staff, as per Rule 9 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, one case was sanctioned with permanent suspension of full gratuity, while the remaining cases were closed without any penalty,” the minister said.“For the coaches, based on the findings, the actions taken include six suspensions, six minor fines and two dismissals. Also, no appeals were filed for the management staff. However, for the coaches, eight appeals were filed against the decisions/recommendations of the inquiry committees by the complainant or the accused,” he added.The minister’s submission came in response to questions raised by Members of Parliament (MPs) Adhikari Deepak Dev and Raja Ram Singh. The MPs asked Mandaviya for details of “total complaints of sexual harassment received against officials, coaches and support staff associated with the Ministry, SAI, affiliated National Sports Federations (NSFs), SAI centers and other sports bodies during the last ten years and the current year”.Disclosing that the ministry does not maintain data on sexual harassment complaints lodged by sportspersons with the respective sports federations or bodies, the sports minister said that no sexual harassment complaints were received against officials directly under his ministry during the period.“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 for redressal of grievances/complaints lodged by players,” he said. “The Ministry as well as various agencies under the Ministry have established Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), which ensure that all employees/trainees/athletes at these locations have access to a mechanism to redress complaints related to sexual harassment. He further said that during the last ten years and the current year, no complaint has been registered in this regard in the ministry regarding its officials.Ten years of record in SAI
- 33
Complaints of sexual harassment - 25 complaints against coaches
- Suspension: 6 coaches. Termination: 2
- Appeals: Eight players were not satisfied with the findings of the inquiry committee.
- Administrative staff: In one case, permanent withholding of full gratuity.
