The sports ministry has intervened following allegations of assault against two women footballers by an All India Football Federation (AIFF) member during the Indian Women's League in Goa. Anurag Thakur, the sports minister, stated that the ministry is taking the incident seriously and has directed the AIFF to take appropriate action.
The accused, AIFF member Deepak Sharma, allegedly assaulted the women footballers while reportedly under the influence of alcohol on March 28. Thakur emphasized the ministry's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of players and urged the AIFF to swiftly address the matter and provide updates on the actions taken.
Deepak Sharma, who also serves as the general secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association, denied the allegations, describing them as baseless. He claimed that the incident stemmed from a minor issue regarding the timing of the footballers' activities and that there was no serious altercation.
In response to the incident, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the assault and expressed concern over the safety of sportswomen. She referenced previous cases of alleged harassment in sports, highlighting the need for standardized protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to protect athletes.
Chaturvedi's remarks underscore the importance of ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all athletes, regardless of gender, and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
