**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer provided by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to the Lok Sabha, concerning the protection of women sportspersons from sexual harassment. It confirms the suspension of a National Level Shooting Coach and addresses actions taken regarding past cases. The answer reaffirms the applicability of the POSH Act and outlines measures for ensuring the safety of women athletes. This document is to be answered by 02.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Suspension of Shooting Coach:**
* The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has suspended a Pistol coach associated with the Indian Shooting team.
* The suspension is based on alleged charges of a complaint filed by an athlete's family with Faridabad Police.
* The incident occurred during private coaching at a venue unrelated to a shooting range or official training camp.
* **Past Sexual Harassment Cases:**
* The Sports Authority of India (SAI) reported 12 cases of sexual harassment in the last five years.
* Requisite action was initiated or taken against the individuals involved in these cases.
* **Legal Provisions and Actions:**
* The Provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013 apply to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other sports organizations.
* NSFs and other sports organizations are obligated to take action based on legal provisions.
* The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports issues instructions to NSFs for sensitizing them on sexual harassment in sports and taking necessary measures.
* SAI has issued instructions regarding women athletes' safety during national coaching camps and international exposure visits.
* Presence of women coaches/support staff with female athletes is mandated during domestic and international camps and competitions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other Sports Organizations**
* **Impact:** NSFs and other sports organizations are subject to the POSH Act and must adhere to legal provisions concerning sexual harassment. They are required to sensitize their members.
* **Action Required:** Comply with the POSH Act, implement policies for preventing and addressing sexual harassment, and adhere to instructions from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
**Stakeholder: Sports Authority of India (SAI)**
* **Impact:** SAI has a responsibility to investigate reported cases and ensure women athletes' safety.
* **Action Required:** Continue issuing and enforcing instructions to protect women athletes, particularly during training and international events.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing NSFs and issuing guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Continue to issue instructions to sensitize NSFs to sexual harassment in sports, ensure effective implementation of the POSH Act, and enforce regulations for the safety of women athletes.
**Stakeholder: Women Athletes**
* **Impact:** Affected by measures taken to ensure safety and address harassment.
* **Action Required:** Report any incidents of sexual harassment and be aware of available support and reporting mechanisms.
Key Entities Referenced
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013: Law applicable to National Sports Federations and other sports organizations concerning sexual harassment.
National Sports Federations (NSFs): Organizations bound to take action in cases of sexual harassment.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): Entity that issued instructions regarding the safety of women athletes during National Coaching Camps and international exposure visits.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports: The ministry responsible for issuing instructions to NSFs on sexual harassment matters.
Faridabad: Location where the alleged incident involving the National Level Shooting Coach occurred.
Government of India
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Department of Sports
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 334
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Protection of Women Sportspersons from Sexual Harassment
334. THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:
DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that the National Level Shooting Coach has been
recently suspended by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for
alleged charges of complaint filed by the athlete's family during a
competition-related stay in Faridabad last month;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the current progress of the case reported against the
said coach;
(d) the details of the total number of National Level Women Players on
various sports has faced such a sexual assaulted case by their coaches
for the last five years and action taken against these coaches;
(e) whether the Government proposes to take necessary action to
protect National Level Women Sportspersons from such a sexual
harassment in future; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
Page 1 of 2ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]
(a) to (c) Yes, Sir. National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has
suspended the Pistol coach associated with Indian Shooting team on
the alleged charges of complaint filed by athlete’s family with
Faridabad Police. The athlete was under private coaching with the
coach and the incident happened at a venue not related to shooting
range or during the official training camp.
(d) Sports Authority of India (SAI) has informed that in the last five
years, 12 cases of sexual harassment were reported and requisite
action was initiated or has been taken against the concerned
persons.
(e) and (f) Provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 are
applicable to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and other sports
organizations, including those under the Central Government and the
State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, as applicable to
any entity defined in the Act. The NSFs and other Sports
Organizations are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal
provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them. For
sensitizing the NSFs in the matter of sexual harassment in sports,
instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs &
Sports to NSFs from time-to-time for taking the requisite measures
as required by law. Further, SAI has also issued instructions
regarding the safety of women athletes during National Coaching
Camps and international exposure visits which mandates the
presence of women coaches/support staff with female athletes
during domestic and international camps and competitions.
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