Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has said that provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 are applicable to all National Sports Federations (NSFs), as applicable to any entity defined in the Act. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha today, Mr Thakur said, the NSFs are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them. He said, the Ministry has also issued instructions to all NSFs from time to time on the prevention of sexual harassment in sports. The Minister said, based on the information provided about complaints of sexual harassment during the last three years and the current year by the Indian Olympic Association and all the presently recognized NSFs, four NSFs have reported complaints of sexual harassment.
 
He said, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had issued detailed instructions to all NSFs for taking necessary action for compliance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Vishakha and Others vs State of Rajasthan and Others. Mr Thakur said, the NSFs are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them. He said, the Ministry has again written in January this year to the IOA and the NSFs to re-examine their structure and policies in terms of the Act and make the necessary changes or modifications. Mr Thakur said, the Ministry has also asked the IOA and the NSFs to sensitise their office bearers, coaches, administrative staff, and players about the prevention of sexual harassment of women in sports.
 
The Minister said, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has issued specific instructions to ensure a safe and positive environment by making all stakeholders aware that there is an expectation, at all times, of appropriate behavior consistent with the core values of sportsmanship and appropriate moral conduct. In order to provide a safe environment in sports, the SAI also runs a 24×7 helpline for the players. The measures that have been advised to NSFs are, Women Coach to mandatorily be a part of the contingent with female athletes during Domestic or International camps and competition exposures. Compliance Officer (Male and Female) to be appointed in all National Coaching Camps and Foreign Exposures. The roles and responsibilities of the Compliance Officer include communicating regularly with athletes and others to ensure that the guidelines are being followed as well as enforcing the Standard Operating Procedure on prevention of sexual harassment in sports. The Compliance Officer, among other duties, should ensure that if any member reports a violation, the same should be reported earliest to the responsible authorities. Pre-Camp Sensitisation modules are to be designed and presented to all athletes, coaches and support staff together before the commencement of any National Coaching Camp and Foreign Exposure. Increase the strength of women Coaches or Support Staff in National Coaching Camps by the NSFs.