Asunta seeks Sports Ministry’s intervention; Tirkey hopes to resolve matter
Former Indian women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has appealed to the Sports Ministry to address alleged sexual harassment and intimidation within Hockey India. Federation president Dilip Tirkey has promised to investigate the claims and resolve the matter between the parties involved.
Why it matters
This case underscores ongoing challenges regarding the safety of female athletes and the accountability of sports governing bodies in India.
Following up on her accusations of threats and intimidation by Hockey India secretary Bholanath Singh, former India captain Asunta Lakra has urged the Sports Ministry to intervene against the “institutional protection of sexual harassment, intimidation and victimisation of women athletes in hockey”, even as federation president Dilip Tirkey assured to look into the matter.
Writing to the ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, among others, Asunta alleged that individuals accused of misconduct were being protected while those raising concerns were threatened.
“I write to you not merely as a former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, a member of the Executive Board of Hockey India and a selector but as an Indian woman who chose to speak up when young female athletes were being sexually harassed,” wrote Asunta.
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