SAI issues guidelines to safeguard female athletes

New Delhi, June 15

After two cases of alleged harassment came to the fore in recent days, the Sports Authority of India has issued guidelines to the National Sports Federations (NSFs) with regard to the safety of women athletes.

Last week, a female cyclist accused a national coach of sexual harassment, while a female sailor accused a senior coach of mental harassment. Both the alleged incidents occurred during training stints abroad.

SAI has asked the NSFs to make sure that a female coach is part of the team during domestic and international travel. Additionally, SAI wants the federations to add more female staff, including support staff, during the camps.

“The step has been taken after recent events came to light where certain female athletes have complained against their coaches during international trips. This is also to ensure a safe and positive environment by making all stakeholders aware that there is an expectation, at all times, of appropriate behavior consistent with the core values of sportsmanship and appropriate moral conduct,” SAI said in a statement.

Compliance officers

SAI also wants all federations to appoint one male and one female compliance officers for all camps. “The roles and responsibilities of the Compliance Officer include communicating regularly with athletes and others to ensure that the guidelines are being followed as well as enforce the Standard Operating Procedure on prevention of sexual harassment in sports. The Compliance Officer, among other duties, should ensure that if any member reports a violation, the same should be reported earliest to the responsible authorities,” the statement added.

Further, SAI has also advised all the federations to initiate “pre-camp sensitization modules for athletes, coaches and support staffs”.