Indian hockey scandal

NEW DELHI: A member of the Indian women's hockey team has accused team's coach and Olympian, Maharaj Kishan Kaushik, of sexual harassment.

An anonymous letter dated June 11 was sent to the ministry, a copy of which is with TOI, saying, "Mr Kaushik asks for sexual favours from the junior girls and passes lewd comments by calling them to his room on the pretext of 'game meeting'. The girls, all coming from poor and humble background are too scared to speak against the coach. A couple of years back the coach also had adulterous relations with a lady member of the coaching staff. They together spoiled the whole atmosphere of the camp. The camp became a means for their illicit deeds."

Kaushik, when contacted, vehemently denied the allegation. "I don't know who has written the letter. But whoever has written it, I want the ministry to find out and punish the perpetrator for slandering my name. That's all I have to say about this."

The letter goes on to say: "Our team has two videographers. One is Mr Basavraj who is basically a photographer employed with the Sports Authority of India, Bangalore. He only knows how to record matches and has zero knowledge of computers. The other videographer Ms H Nalini is a software professional... Nalini is the main requirement of the team looking into the importance of video analysis in modern hockey. Yet for any foreign tour Kaushik takes Basavraj with the team, the reason being Basavraj bribes Kaushik and also buys him drinks on tours abroad and pays for his shopping. The whole team is upset with this."

The player further alleges in the letter: "Kaushik lacks the quality of tactical play that is required to compete at elite level. He is psychologically unfit." The letter ends with a lament that the Indian women's hockey team is not able to perform well because of the coach.

"Sir, our women hockey players are really talented and the team can be amongst the best in the world but the politics of the coach is ruining the team. MK Kaushik is using his reputation to hide his wrong-doings... he is misusing his position as the chief coach."

Meanwhile, a TV channel added to the sleaze by showing video clippings of a team official in a compromising position with a couple of girls. When contacted, Rajiv Mehta, chairman of a five-member committee formed to probe into this incident, told TOI: "We have received a complaint. We had a meeting and we have dropped the videographer from the team with immediate effect. Kaushik also told us that he won't tour with the team until his name is cleared. We have called the girl complainant tomorrow for a meeting."