Female archer alleges harassment at Sonipat NCOE

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 27

A senior female archer has lodged a complaint against High Performance Director Sanjeeva Singh, alleging that he publicly misbehaved and “mentally harassed” her for coming late to practice.

A few trainees at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Sonipat reported late for the morning training session on September 24. As a punishment, they were asked by Singh to run five rounds of the ground there.

The woman archer alleged that she was asked to run on despite her informing the coaches and support staff that she was in the midst of her menstrual cycle. In her complaint, a copy of which is with The Tribune, she alleged: “hellip;I informed my coaches and Mr Sanjeeva himself that I am in no condition to run and his not so very polite reply was ‘everyone have it you are no different (sic)’.”

“He forced me to run and threatened me that he would make me go home. Somehow I completed 1 round walking around the field. Then again I told him ‘sir I can’t run, I am on my periods’. He screamed with full rage and anger, ‘get out of the field if you are medically ill. You have no right to be in the NCOE’,” she added in her complaint.

She further alleged that Singh was trying to change her technique without consulting her coach. “hellip;but facing such mental harassment and being forced to make unnecessary changes in shooting skill, throwing out of the field will lead us to nowhere in the race of Olympics (sic),” the archer added.

Singh dismissed the complaint, saying he only asked the archer to take a rest if she was unwell. “All I did was to tell her to take rest if she was not feeling well. I don’t want to comment further,” Singh said.

SAI, AAI to probe matter

Meanwhile, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Archery Association of India (AAI) have said that they will conduct an inquiry into the matter.

SAI regional director Lalita Sharma has already reached across to the archer and has also sought Singh’s comments regarding the complaint against him.

AAI secretary general Pramod Chandurkar said: “We have received a complaint. We will speak to all the parties and make a decision soon.”