Assam women archers accuse coach of sexual abuse

A group of women archers in Assam Thursday accused their main coach of sexually abusing and harassing them during training sessions and demanded strict punishment for him.

A group of 14 women archers today alleged persistent sexual harassment by Sports Authority of India (SAI) archery coach Gunin Changmai over the last two years.

"The women archers told us about how the coach misbehaved with the women trainees and at times even physically abusing some of them both inside and outside the training arena," Jayanta Boro, president of the All Assam Archery Association, told journalists.

Some of the women archers were also present during the press conference and narrated their sordid experience.

"The coach also ill treated some of the male trainees," Boro said.

The women archers are now demanding stern action against the coach.

"As per norms, the coach should be removed from the post and punished," one of the women archers said requesting not to be named.

"Most of us are victims of sexual abuse by the coach. He not only passed obscene and lewd comments, but also touched our private parts when we were alone."

The women archers have since given a formal complaint to SAI against the coach.