Sports Authority of India sacks coach on sexual harassment charge, vows strict measures

Sports Authority of India has sacked one of its coaches in Tamil Nadu after he was indicted of sexually harassing junior campers.

A senior Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach based in Tamil Nadu has been terminated for alleged sexual harassment of schoolgirls training at the centre.

SAI Director General Neelam Kapur confirmed that one of the coaches has been sacked. (Twitter)

Following a complaint last month, SAI headquarters in Delhi initiated an inquiry and sacked the coach. SAI’s Tamil Nadu regional director, G Kishore, said: “One of the coaches has been sacked by the SAI headquarters following an inquiry into a sexual harassment complaint.”

When contacted, the coach said he can’t speak on the issue without talking to his lawyer. The coach, who had been with SAI for 30 years, was posted at the Tamil Nadu centre last year.

There are over 300 girls training in residential centres in various disciplines, including athletics, basketball and hockey, in the region. SAI also has a non-residential scheme where more than 500 girls avail of the training facilities.

Young female trainees in Bangalore and in Gujarat too have reportedly complained of sexual harassment and an internal inquiry has been initiated, it is learnt.

The SAI plans to hold awareness programmes to protect trainees from sexual harassment in the future.