Days after a top Indian woman cyclist accused national team head coach RK Sharma of sexual harassment, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) terminated her contract, observing that “prima facie, the matter is established”. And the allegations of the athlete are found. Truth.’
In his complaint to SAI, the cyclist had claimed that Sharma had misbehaved with him several times during a training camp in Slovenia in May. Sharma, who was originally scheduled to return on June 14, was immediately called back to New Delhi and is now likely to reach the capital on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, SAI gave Sharma his termination letter.
The cyclist’s complaint was brought to light in a brief statement by SAI on Monday, which said he was brought back “immediately” to “ensure his safety” – and a call for “inquiry into the matter”. The panel has been constituted, which is being “disposed of on priority”.
In a separate statement, the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) identified the complainant and the coach, said it “stands with the complainant” and has formed an inquiry panel of its own.
SAI said the committee it had constituted had submitted its preliminary report on Wednesday. “And the prima facie case has been established and the allegations of the athlete have been found to be true,” SAI said in a media release. “The coach who was hired on the recommendation of the Cycling Federation of India had a contract with the Sports Authority of India. Following the report, SAI terminated the coach’s contract with immediate effect. The committee will continue the detailed investigation of the matter and submit the final report.
Sharma, a retired Air Force human resources manager, has been the national coach since 2014 and has worked with many junior and senior cyclists during this period. Under his leadership, the team traveled to Slovenia to prepare for the Asian Championships to be held in New Delhi from 18 to 22 June.
However, the female cyclist – the only woman to travel with the team – alleged in her complaint that Sharma forced her to stay in his room, offered her a “post-training massage”, “forcefully” forced her to stay in his room. Tried to pull over, and asked her to “sleep with him” during the camp. He said the coach told him he wanted her to be ‘his wife’.
When she protested, Sharma allegedly threatened to destroy her career by “removing her from the NCOE”, and ensuring that she would “sell vegetables on the street”. According to the complaint, the cyclist left the camp midway, but before leaving for India, Sharma called his family and asked them to marry him as he had no future in the sport.