Cycling coach's contract terminated for inappropriate behaviour

In the preliminary report, SAI found the accusation of the female cyclist against the coach to be true.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has on Wednesday terminated the contract of cycling coach RK Sharma. The decision was taken based on a preliminary report of an inquiry committee after a female cyclist accused Sharma of 'inappropriate behavior' during a tour in Slovenia.

The inquiry committee was set up by SAI after the cyclist raised the issue from Slovenia. SAI said that the inquiry committee has found the allegations to be true.

"SAI had constituted an inquiry committee to hear the case of a national level cyclist’s complaint against a coach of inappropriate behavior during a foreign exposure trip in Slovenia which was organized by the Cycling Federation of India. The committee has submitted its preliminary report today and prima facie the case is established and the allegations of the athlete are found to be true,” the SAI said.

The statement also added that RK Sharma's contract has been terminated.

“The coach who was hired on the recommendation of the Cycling Federation of India had a contract with the Sports Authority of India. Following the report, SAI has terminated the contract of the coach with immediate effect."

SAI further added that the inquiry committee will continue a detailed investigation into the case and will submit a final report.

The female cyclist while in Slovenia had raised a complaint of inappropriate behavior from coach RK Sharma. The complainant had claimed that the coach was forcing her to share a room with him on the pretext that accommodation had been arranged on a two-per-room basis.

After her request, SAI had arranged a separate single room for the female cyclist, but the coach did not take her to Germany for an event, allegedly for resisting his offer. Sharma had also threatened the cyclist that he would destroy her career and will get her removed from the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) if she did not sleep with him.

According to other reports, Sharma had forced into her room once after practice and offered a massage. The matter had come to light on Monday after the complaint was received by SAI, with the sports governing body taking quick action. SAI had promptly called the cyclist back to India, ensuring her safety.

The training and competition trip to the European country was arranged to help the Indian team prepare for the Asian Track Cycling Championships, scheduled to be held in Delhi from June 18 to 22.

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