The Athletes Commission of the Indian Olympic Association has recommended that systems be put in place to deal with issues facing athletes with respect and dignity. The recommendation comes in light of the ongoing protest by top wrestlers against the Wrestling Federation of India president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation.
Six of the ten members of the Athletes Commission attended the meeting and sent their recommendations to the IOA. The Commission felt that it should play a more active role in representing the voices of athletes in front of the IOA and put systems in place to deal with their issues.
Athletes Commission chairperson and Olympics bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom was not present at the meeting. She heads a seven-member committee formed by the IOA on January 20 to look into the allegations of sexual harassment made by the wrestlers. The committee is yet to submit its report.
Mary Kom was also the head of the Oversight Committee constituted by the Sports Ministry to probe sexual harassment and intimidation charges against Singh. That committee has submitted its report to the sports ministry earlier this month.
The Athletes Commission includes members such as table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal (vice chairperson), Olympic medallists Gagan Narang, Mirabai Chanu, PV Sindhu, Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan, rower Bajrang Lal, fencer Bhavani Devi, hockey player Rani Rampal and former shot putter OP Karhana. India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra and former India hockey team captain Sardar Singh are also members of the Athletes Commission, representing International Olympic Committee and Olympic Council of Asia respectively.
The recommendation comes two days after IOA chief P T Usha criticized the aggrieved wrestlers, saying their protest lacked discipline and tarnished the image of the country. Decorated wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik are the three central characters in the renewed protest against the Wrestling Federation of India president.
The Delhi Police on Friday filed two FIRs, including one under the POCSO Act, against the BJP MP, who has completed 12 years as WFI president and is ineligible to become an office bearer again. The recommendation by the Athletes Commission highlights the need for proper systems to be put in place to deal with the issues that athletes face and ensure their dignity and respect.