Months before the accusation of sexual harassment against Wrestling Federation of India President by some wrestlers of international repute rocked the sports world, the NHRC had suggested a string of measures including appointment of Institutional Ombudsman and Ethical Officer in sport bodies at national, state and district level to address the grievances of the sportspersons.
The human rights body has also recommended the Centre to undertake periodic audits by an independent expert agency to assess adherence to ‘National Sports Development Code of India’ and ‘Human Rights Strategic Framework’ by all national sports federations and made the reports public to ensure transparency.
Also, the Government shall initiate “measures to promote sports literacy. These measures may include, among others, development and promotion of basic alphabetical sports booklets, inclusion of modules of sports in school curriculum,” the NHRC has suggested.
On its part, the NHRC has plans to develop a “Handbook on Human Rights in Sports” and translate the same in all 22 recognized languages.
A module on “Human Rights in Sports” for incorporation in training courses for coaches organised by the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports and its Centres and similar courses run at the State level institutions for coaches and the share the same with various state and central government sports bodies is also on its agenda.
In this regard, the NHRC in collaboration with Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports may organize Training of Trainers (ToT) on these modules.
The NHRC has also asked the State Government and the Centre to take measures to create awareness among various stakeholders about the Human Rights Framework established by the International Olympic Committee.
The NHRC and the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports may endeavor to enlist a renowned sport celebrity to work (on pro-bono basis) as ambassadors of the human rights body for protection and promotion of human rights in sports
sector.
The Centre should explore the feasibility to earmark minimum 10 per cent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for promotion of the sports sector, says the human rights body.
These suggestions are based on the outcome of a meeting held November last with human rights and sports experts and chaired by Dr. D.M. Mulay, NHRC member.
Others who attended the meeting from NHRC were HC Chaudhary, Justice Arun Mishra(Chairperson) members MM Kumar, Rajiv Jain, Devendra Kumar Singh(Secretary General), Manoj Yadava, Director
General.
Shri Kunal, Joint Secretary (Sports – Development), Dpt. of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Rohit Bhardwaj, Secretary, Sports Authority of India, Col. Raj Singh Bishnoi, Senior Executive Director & Head, Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala and Dr. Sudarshan Pathak, Chairperson, Hockey India Sexual Harassment Committee also attended the meet.