New Delhi, May 19: Hockey India has called an urgent executive board meeting to discuss stringent action, including possible life bans, amid a series of sexual harassment, misconduct and indiscipline cases that have rocked the sport over the last few months.
In an email sent to executive board members, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey stressed the need for a “zero tolerance” approach towards sexual harassment, abuse of authority and ethical misconduct.
The meeting is expected to focus on reviewing all ongoing and reported cases, strengthening POSH compliance and reporting mechanisms, ensuring protection for complainants and whistleblowers, fixing accountability for individuals or bodies found complicit or negligent, and adopting a stronger disciplinary framework.
“Over the last six months, our sport has faced a series of deeply damaging media reports. Most concerning are at least five publicly reported cases involving sexual harassment, misconduct, ethical violations and disciplinary failures. Every case relating to sexual harassment must be dealt with institutionally and strictly in accordance with the POSH Act, 2013,” Tirkey said.
Hockey India was rocked by a controversy recently after it removed support staff member and coach Sudhir Golla from the ongoing U-18 boys’ national camp in Bhopal after allegations of misconduct surfaced against him.
The development came shortly after the Jharkhand government removed Golla from his role at the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre in Ranchi for being absent from training duties without approval and behaving inappropriately with female trainees.
Tirkey expressed concern over the reluctance of women officials to formally report incidents due to fear of retaliation.
He also warned that repeated controversies were severely damaging the image of the federation and the sport. (PTI)
