Sexual offence charge rocks India's Asian Para Games contingent; swimmer faces ban
Indian para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh has been detained by Japanese police following allegations of sexual harassment against a hotel employee during the Asian Para Games. The Paralympic Committee of India has condemned the incident and is considering a lifetime ban for the athlete.
Why it matters
The incident has caused significant embarrassment for the Indian delegation and highlights the strict disciplinary standards expected of international athletes.
NEW DELHI: The Indian contingent at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya has been left embarrassed after para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh was detained by Japanese police following allegations of sexually harassing and molesting a female hotel employee. The 40-year-old, once a world No 1 in his event, was sent back to India on Tuesday, a day after the alleged incident, and faces the prospect of a lifetime ban from the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).A senior PCI official, who is part of the Indian delegation in Nagoya and who handled the entire situation, confirmed the development to TOI, describing the alleged misconduct as “reprehensible and intolerable” and saying there could be “no justification” for such behaviour by an athlete representing the country on the international stage.”“Aalam is staring at no less than a lifetime ban for bringing disrepute to the entire Indian delegation participating at the Asian Para…
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