A national level woman sailor has lodged a complaint with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) alleging that a coach made her "uncomfortable" during a foreign exposure trip to Germany, PTI reported. The development comes days after a renowned cyclist accused her coach of sexual harassment during a training-cum-competition tour of Slovenia. SAI has terminated the contract of chief cycling coach RK Sharma.
According to a statement by the Sports Authority of India, the woman sailor had raised the issue with the Yatching Federation of India (YAI) several times but when she did not get any response, she sought the intervention of SAI.
"Received a complaint from a female sailor who is currently in a foreign exposure camp in Germany. The camp has been proposed and organised by the Yachting Association of India and funded by SAI through ACTC, as is the norm," the statement said.
READ | SAI Terminates Contract Of Cycling Coach RK Sharma After Woman Cyclist Complains Of Harassment
"In her complaint, the athlete has said that a coach accompanying the contingent is making her uncomfortable. The coach in question has been appointed by the federation and was included in the contingent as per the proposal of the Federation," it further said.
Following the complaint, SAI has asked for a report from the Federation seeking clarification by the end of the day.
"SAI has asked for a report from the federation seeking clarification on when and how many times the athlete had complained to the federation and why no response was extended to her," the statement said.
SAI has also reached out to the athlete, who claimed that "mental pressure" was being created by the coach during training. The sailor did mention any sexual harassment by the coach.
The coach is a three-time Olympian and is a coach of the Indian Navy team.