Sex and the sport
FEDERATION FAILURE
While sexual harassment occurs in all fields, it appears that it is becoming more prevalent in sports.
Although it is the responsibility of the respective federations to handle such complaints, little is done.
According to Aruna Budda Reddy, nothing has been done to resolve her case, and action is being delayed despite concrete evidence.
“It’s been more than four weeks since the committee was constituted but nothing has been concluded yet. I am fighting against the whole gymnast federation, and I am getting threatening calls saying it was a wrong decision to take on the Federation,” rues Aruna.
She adds that, disturbingly, some people from the Federation have asked her not to complain against
Rohit Jaiswal since his career would be ‘finished’ on account of her allegations. She feels the
Federation is trying to protect the guilty.
“The guy (Rohit’s assistant) who did the filming has confessed in front of the inquiry committee that he did so on Rohit’s instructions.
But still justice is being delayed,” she says, adding that it is her career which is at stake now.
NEED FOR STERN ACTION
Isn’t it time to name and shame the perpetrators? Former World Champion athlete Anju Bobby believes sports federations should hire a female IPS officer to investigate sexual harassment cases and that these investigations should be expedited. “The committees have people from the sports fraternity, but that’s not enough. An Ips-level officer understands the magnitude and sensitivity of the issue and will call for quick and stern action,” she says.
Over the years, often, many sexual harassment cases have been brushed under the carpet citing reasons ranging from ‘lack of substantial evidence’ to counter charges that the allegations are ‘false’.
Olympic medallist Karnam Malleswari wants awareness programmes on sexual harassment in sports academies. She feels such awareness will make athletes understand the seriousness of the issue.
“Although there are programmes about sexual harassment in the sport institutions that I worked
with and supervised, they are not enough. Most of the complaints are by girls from rural areas, and hence a comprehensive curriculum-based programme will empower the athletes with knowledge about good and bad touch,” shares the eminent weightlifter.
PERFORMANCE HIT
Women athletes are calling for an organised system that allows them to share complaints without fear of jeopardising their careers. But what about the pain the athletes endure during the ordeal? Aruna admits that she knew justice would be delayed, but adds that she’s ready to fight it out till the end. “I am not going to give up – I will wait till the final report comes. For the last few weeks, I have been going through a lot of trauma. I lost touch with the game, lost confidence and haven’t been practicing; my fitness levels have gone for a toss,” she says, adding that in her present state of mind, she cannot prepare for the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games, her dream.
Aruna alleges that the Federation keeps asking her why she is taking them on. The young athlete feels depressed that the authorities did not even get in touch with her to find out how she is doing and what she is going through.
“Isn’t it the Federation’s responsibility to look after the safety of the athletes? I am 26 now, and about to undergo surgery. Staging a comeback will be a daunting task,” she rues, sharing that physically and mentally the last few weeks have been very taxing.
SAI’S NEW GUIDELINES
Meanwhile, a slew of sexual harassment cases has prompted SAI to require all 15 Federations under it to include a female coach if female athletes compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, whether at home or abroad.
“National Sports Federations of India (NSFS) has been asked to appoint Compliance Officers (male and female) at all National Coaching Camps and for foreign exposures. The role of these officers will be to communicate regularly with athletes, and ensure that the guidelines are being followed,” says an
NSF official. Any violations are to be reported to the concerned authorities at the earliest. “The NSFS should have more representation of women in their coaching departments,” the officer added. The guidelines inform all stakeholders about the expected behaviour in accordance with the core values of sportsmanship.
THE COMMITTEES HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE SPORTS FRATERNITY, BUT THAT’S NOT ENOUGH. AN IPS-LEVEL OFFICER UNDERSTANDS THE MAGNITUDE AND SENSITIVITY OF THE ISSUE AND WILL CALL FOR QUICK AND STERN ACTION
— ANJU BOBBY, former Medal winner in long jump, World Championships