NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association‘s athletes fee member Om Prakash Karhana on Tuesday got here out in beef up of the protesting wrestlers, who had accused WFI leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation, announcing “justice should be delivered to athletes who are fighting for their rights”.
The 36-year-old Karhana, a former nationwide document holder shot putter and Asian champion, mentioned sweeping the allegations of the wrestlers underneath the carpet would hurt Indian recreation as athletes would lose their religion within the gadget.
“I’m not speaking on behalf of athletes commission but my personal view is that if athletes have come out in the open to fight for their rights, the system in the country should take steps to deliver justice to them as soon as possible,” Karhana, who retired ultimate 12 months, informed PTI.
“Especially in a case relating to women athletes, the authorities should not sweep anything under the carpet. It’s a serious matter and should be dealt with through proper and fair process to find out the truth.
“It will have to be black and white relating to who’s doing mistaken issues — whether or not the accused or the accuser,” said the 2012 London Olympian who has a personal best of 20.69m.
The Delhi Police took time to register an FIR against Singh after seven wrestlers lodged complaints against him. Two FIRs were later registered against Singh on Friday last.
Karhana, who was the third Indian to cross the 20m mark in men’s shot put, felt that the wrestlers’ protest will have an impact on Indian sports.
“I come from a village and in lots of villages ladies are nonetheless discouraged to take in sports activities. So, if the government don’t take the topic critically and probe the allegations by means of ladies athletes in an even procedure, no dad or mum will permit them to head out and play recreation.
“Ultimately, it will be the loss of the country as the talented athletes from the villages will not take up sports,” mentioned Karhana who received the shot put gold on the Asian Championships in 2009 and adopted it up with two bronze medals within the 2011 and 2013 editions.
The 10-member athletes fee has no longer taken a stand after wrestlers resumed their sit-in protest on April 24. A couple of contributors, despite the fact that, have expressed their harmony with the wrestlers for my part.
“As an institution, the athletes commission has not issued a collective statement. But some individual members have done that.
“The athletes fee (with complete rights and powers) is a brand new idea, so there is also some confusion over its rights and tasks. Some contributors aren’t even absolutely acutely aware of their roles and duties.
“We are also learning and that’s why it’s taking time. We are still discussing the matter and I am hoping that a statement will come from the athletes commission.”
Six contributors of the athletes fee, together with Karhana, had a gathering on Saturday and made suggestions to the IOA to position in position right kind programs to handle problems with the athletes with appreciate and dignity.
Karhana was once no longer prepared to talk on what transpired right through the assembly, announcing best the chairperson or the vice chairperson of the fee can factor public statements.
“I can’t speak about the discussions during the meeting. But if a commission, which is set up for the betterment of the athletes, does not look into their issues, who else will do. That is what I can say,” he mentioned.
The 36-year-old Karhana, a former nationwide document holder shot putter and Asian champion, mentioned sweeping the allegations of the wrestlers underneath the carpet would hurt Indian recreation as athletes would lose their religion within the gadget.
“I’m not speaking on behalf of athletes commission but my personal view is that if athletes have come out in the open to fight for their rights, the system in the country should take steps to deliver justice to them as soon as possible,” Karhana, who retired ultimate 12 months, informed PTI.
“Especially in a case relating to women athletes, the authorities should not sweep anything under the carpet. It’s a serious matter and should be dealt with through proper and fair process to find out the truth.
“It will have to be black and white relating to who’s doing mistaken issues — whether or not the accused or the accuser,” said the 2012 London Olympian who has a personal best of 20.69m.
The Delhi Police took time to register an FIR against Singh after seven wrestlers lodged complaints against him. Two FIRs were later registered against Singh on Friday last.
Karhana, who was the third Indian to cross the 20m mark in men’s shot put, felt that the wrestlers’ protest will have an impact on Indian sports.
“I come from a village and in lots of villages ladies are nonetheless discouraged to take in sports activities. So, if the government don’t take the topic critically and probe the allegations by means of ladies athletes in an even procedure, no dad or mum will permit them to head out and play recreation.
“Ultimately, it will be the loss of the country as the talented athletes from the villages will not take up sports,” mentioned Karhana who received the shot put gold on the Asian Championships in 2009 and adopted it up with two bronze medals within the 2011 and 2013 editions.
The 10-member athletes fee has no longer taken a stand after wrestlers resumed their sit-in protest on April 24. A couple of contributors, despite the fact that, have expressed their harmony with the wrestlers for my part.
“As an institution, the athletes commission has not issued a collective statement. But some individual members have done that.
“The athletes fee (with complete rights and powers) is a brand new idea, so there is also some confusion over its rights and tasks. Some contributors aren’t even absolutely acutely aware of their roles and duties.
“We are also learning and that’s why it’s taking time. We are still discussing the matter and I am hoping that a statement will come from the athletes commission.”
Six contributors of the athletes fee, together with Karhana, had a gathering on Saturday and made suggestions to the IOA to position in position right kind programs to handle problems with the athletes with appreciate and dignity.
Karhana was once no longer prepared to talk on what transpired right through the assembly, announcing best the chairperson or the vice chairperson of the fee can factor public statements.
“I can’t speak about the discussions during the meeting. But if a commission, which is set up for the betterment of the athletes, does not look into their issues, who else will do. That is what I can say,” he mentioned.