New Delhi: Sports Authority of India (SAI) terminated the contract of chief cycling coach RK Sharma on Wednesday, based on the preliminary report of an inquiry panel, after a female cyclist accused him of “inappropriate behaviour” during a training-cum-competition tour of Slovenia, news agency PTI reported. SAI said the committee found the allegations levelled by the cyclist to be true.
“SAI had constituted an inquiry committee to hear the case of a national level cyclist’s complaint against a coach of inappropriate behaviour during a foreign exposure trip in Slovenia which was organised by the Cycling Federation of India. The committee has submitted its preliminary report today and prima facie the case is established and the allegations of the athlete are found to be true,” a statement issued by SAI said.
“The coach who was hired on recommendation of the Cycling Federation of India had a contract with the Sports Authority of India. Following the report, SAI has terminated the contract of the coach with immediate effect,” the statement further added.
The panel will continue a detailed probe into the case and submit a final report, the Sports Authority of India said.
Notably, the complainant was part of the Indian endurance contingent, with five male and a female, that flew to Slovenia on May 15 and scheduled to return on June 14.
The female cyclist informed the SAI of “inappropriate behaviour” by the coach during her stay in Slovenia. She also said that she was so scared that she feared for her life.
According to the complainant, the coach forced her to share a hotel room with him saying that accommodation had been arranged on twin-sharing basis.
The accused also threatened to destroy her career by having her removed from the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) if she did not agree to what he wanted, according to the complaint.
Later, on her request, SAI arranged for a separate room for her, however, the coach did not take her to Germany for an event along with the contingent.
In a bid to ensure her safety, SAI has already called back the cyclist who made the allegation. It has also called back the entire contingent following the incident.
The training-cum-competition trip to Slovenia was arranged to help the Indian team prepare well for Asian Track Cycling Championships to be held in Delhi from June 18 to 22.
The matter came to light on Monday when SAI issued a statement saying it has called the cyclist back to ensure her safety.