Women hockey player alleges sexual harassment

Indian Hockey was rocked by a fresh controversy on Tuesday with a member of the women's team sending a written complaint alleging sexual harassment against one of the coaching staff.

The women member alleged that one of the coaching staff had asked for sexual favours and used vulgar language during the recent tours of Canada and China.

Following the complaint, Hockey India has set up a four-member committee to probe the allegation, Hockey India general secretary Narendra Batra said.

The committee comprises Rajiv Mehta, as its chairman and former players Zaffer Iqbal and Ajit Pal Singh and Sudharsan Pathak, Batra said.

"Today, a women team member has mailed me a written complaint of sexual harassment, usage of vulgar language, and asking for sexual favours against a coaching staff," Batra said.

Batra said he had also received an anonymous mail last Friday, where allegations had been levelled against the videographer of the team for having being involved in a sexual orgy with prostitutes during the foreign tour.

He said five photographs of the videographer with the prostitutes had also been mailed to him.

Batra said the Sport Ministry had been apprised of the complaints. Government had suggested a lady representative be appointed in the committee and hence Pathak was inducted.

"The committee had its first meeting yesterday and decided that the videographer will not be accompanying the team on upcoming tours pending the inquiry.

Batra also said such complaints will be looked at seriously and assured that there will be no harassment or intimidation of those making the allegations.