Ahmedabad, Jan 10: The maiden National Athletes’ Forum convened here by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Saturday discussed several athlete-centric issues, including career options after retirement and safe environment, including for women, while training and competing.
Nearly 50 athlete representatives, two each from around 25 National Sports Federations, took part in the discussions, along with some members of the IOA Athletes Commission. Olympic medallist shooter and IOA vice president Gagan Narang, IOA Athletes Commission vice chair and table tennis legend Achanta Sharath Kamal and former shot putter Om Prakash Karhana were also among those present in the proceedings.
Karhana said athlete representatives of the NSFs were informed about their role and responsibilities, how the voice of the athletes can reach the administrators so that athlete-centric decisions are made.
“Today’s Forum was more about information sharing. This is just a beginning. India is going to become a sporting hub, so we have to follow best global practices. I hope this initiative becomes a regular affair.”
Three sessions were held with topics on ‘Navigating Career Transition’, ‘Safeguarding Sports Integrity’, and ‘Media and Social Media Masterclass’.
“On ‘Safeguarding Sports Integrity’, issues like abuse, harassment, physical, mental or psychological, how can it be avoided? What policies and frameworks should be developed? We discussed about it.”
On ‘Media and Social Media Masterclass’, many had the opinion that sportspersons should not get completely involved in social media. (PTI)
