Lok Sabha Question No. 3132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Awareness Programmes for Sportspersons
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3132 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2023

Awareness Programmes for Sportspersons

## 3132. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will  the  Minister  of  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  AND  SPORTS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  to identify issues which are faced by the sportspersons or athletes on a regular basis;
- (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to take any measures to address those issues and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  conducts  awareness  programmes  for sportspersons, coaches and officials regarding gender sensitization and prevention of sexual harassment cases; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## ANSWER [SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR]

- (a)  &  (b):  National  Sports  Federations  (NSFs)  are  self-regulated autonomous bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, Companies Act etc and are governed by their own constitution and have their own mechanism to redress the grievances/ complaints filed with them by sportspersons.

The  Government  of  India  emphasizes  ethical  conduct  as  a  key factor  in  the  fair  administration  of  the  sporting  disciplines  and facilitates safe environment free of harassment and discrimination for all stakeholders participating in sports, including the athletes. It is also imperative for the sport that individuals observe the highest levels of ethical conduct.

The Government is providing all requisite support and facilities  to the  athletes  to  enable  them  to  do  their  best  in  the  international sporting events.

(c) & (d) Provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 are applicable to 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.

The  Ministry  has  again  written  in  January  2023  to  the  Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the NSFs  to re-examine their structure  and  policies  in  terms  of  the  said  Act  and  make  the necessary changes/modifications. The Ministry has also asked the IOA  and  the  NSFs  to  sensitize  their office  bearers,  coaches, administrative  staff,  and  players  about  the  prevention  of  sexual harassment of women in sports.

SAI  organises  awareness  programmes  at  its  Regional  Centres  to sensitize  on  the  prevention  of  Sexual  Harassment,  from  time  to time.  In  order  to  provide  the  safe  environment  in  the  sports,  the following measures have been advised by SAI to NSFs:

- i. Women Coach to mandatorily be a part of the contingent with female athletes during Domestic/ International camps and competition exposures.
2. ii.
3. Compliance Officer (Male & Female) to be appointed in all National  Coaching  Camps  and  Foreign  Exposures.  The
4. 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.
- iii.   Pre-Camp Sensitization modules to be designed and presented  to  all  athletes,  coaches  and  support  staffs together before commencement of any National Coaching Camp and Foreign Exposure.
- iv.   Increase the strength of women Coaches/Support Staff in National Coaching Camps by respective NSFs.

In  addition  to  the  above,  a  24x7  call  centre  is  also  run  by  SAI  to address grievances of the sportspersons.

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