Lok Sabha Question No. 1316 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Sexual Harassment Complaints in Sports Bodies
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

## Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

## Government of India Department of Sports

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1316 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

Sexual Harassment Complaints in Sports Bodies

1316. DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has data about the sexual harassment complaint raised by sports persons/Athletes in general and complaint against the Sports Association/Federation office-bearers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any enquiry was conducted by the Government in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to (d) National Sports Federations (NSFs) are voluntary bodies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 / Trusts Act / Companies  Act.  They  are  governed  by  their  own  constitution  and have  their  own  mechanism  to  redress  the  grievances/  complaints filed with them by sportspersons.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports had issued detailed instructions on 12.08.2010 to all NSFs for taking necessary action for compliance with the guidelines laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan and Others. Pursuant to the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013, the provisions of the POSH Act 2013 are applicable to all NSFs. The NSFs are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them.

The Ministry has also issued instructions to all NSFs from time-totime on the prevention of sexual harassment in sports.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports does not maintain data about complaints of sexual harassment filed by the sportspersons with the concerned sports bodies.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, has issued specific instructions 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.  In order to provide a safe environment in sports, the SAI also runs a 24*7  helpline  for  the  players.  The  following  measures  have  been advised to NSFs:

- i. Women Coach to mandatorily be a part of the contingent with female  athletes  during  Domestic/  International  camps  and competition exposures.
- ii. Compliance Officer (Male & Female) to be appointed in all National Coaching Camps and Foreign Exposures. 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.
- 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.

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