Minor Female Hockey Player Harassed In Roshnabad, Uttarakhand Police Detain Male Coach

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The Uttarakhand National Games will kick start from January 28 yet off the field issue has rocked the sports fraternity on Monday.

A young female hockey player (below 18 years) attending a state camp in preparation for the upcoming National Games has alleged harassment on the hands of a male hockey coach overseeing the women's camp at Roshnabad Hockey Stadium.

The issue will certainly impact performance of the state team at the National Games. Following a complaint by the player on Sunday, the local police have detained the male hockey coach for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Haridwar district sports officer has closed down the women's camp and players have been asked to go home. Narendra Singh, secretary of Hockey Uttarakhand confirmed the development of allegations against the male hockey coach saying such incidents will impact the development of hockey in the state.

"The local police have arrested the male hockey coach and the investigation is on'', Singh told Mykhel over phone. "I'm on my way to Haridwar and will update once I reach the hockey stadium."

The male coach detained by the police was working on an ad-hoc basis with the Uttarakhand Sports Department. The coach is learnt to be in good books of Hockey Uttarakhand. As many as 30 female hockey players were shortlisted by the Hockey Uttarakhand for the first phase of the camp supposed to conclude this week.

Both men and women's hockey camps were organised at Roshnabad Hockey Stadium. Out of the 30 female players in the camp, as many as ten players were from Roshnabad.

"Hockey players have been told to go home. But the players are clueless to what has happened," one of the parents from Roshnabad told myKhel over the phone.

Former national level player Reena Kataria, who hails from Roshnabad said allegations by a young female player will severely impact the development of hockey in the region.

"Roshnabad is known for women's hockey in the region and allegations of harassment will certainly derail the promotion of hockey," Reena told myKhel over a telephonic conversation.