Who Is R K Sharma? National Coach Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

The National sprint team chief coach has been accused of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour by a leading female cyclist. The coach has been accused of inappropriate behaviour in a national camp ahead of the Asian Track Cycling Championships, in Slovenia.

R K Sharma or Rajendra Kumar Sharma is the National sprint team chief coach. As per his social media profiles, he has been Head Coach, UCI World Cycling Center, INDIA Satellite. He has a UCI Graduate Diploma in international cycling coaching. R K Sharma is a former Air Force HR manager. He joined the Cycling Centre around 15 years ago and has been reported to have worked with the junior and senior cycling teams. He was reportedly appointed after the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) recommendation.

Who Is R K Sharma?

RK Sharma, reportedly joined a coaching course in Switzerland, after resigning from IAF.

A woman cyclist has complained to the SAI (Sports Authority of India) about alleged sexual misconduct via email. Separate inquiry committees of the SAI and CFI have been formed to thoroughly investigate this matter. Sports Authority Of India stated- “SAI has received a complaint from a cyclist of inappropriate behaviour by a coach during a foreign exposure camp in Slovenia. The coach was appointed on the recommendation of the CFI. Following the complaint by the athlete, SAI has immediately brought her back to India to ensure her safety and has also constituted a committee to investigate the matter".

SAI added -"The matter is being dealt with on priority and will be resolved shortly.The Federation also formed a committee with the Secretary General - Mr. Maninder Pal Singh, Mr. SS Sudeesh Kumar - President Kerala Cycling, Ms Dipali Nikam - Chief Coach Maharashtra Cycling Team and Mr. VN Singh, Assistant Secretary, CFI who met today with the complainant and assured ____ full support during the time SAI committee comes out with its findings and decision."

Reports have now revealed that the cyclist allegedly feared for her life during the camp in Slovenia. In the complaint she claimed that the coach asked her to behave like his wife, failing which he would completely destroy her career. In the email sent to SAI, the cyclist also said, "On the 29th of May 2022, the coach returned from Germany early in the morning at approximately 7 am. I heard a knock on my door. Upon opening the door, I found, much to my horror, the coach physically forcing himself into my room. He then proceeded to lay on the bed. When I requested him to leave, he forcefully tried pulling me towards him and asked me to come and sleep with him."

She said that this incident was extremely traumatic and that's when she complained about his behaviour to a sports psychologist. Maninder Pal Singh General Secretory of CFI, talking about the cyclist's allegation on Mr. RK Sharma, has stated- "Female coach backed out last minute and rooms were booked accordingly so it happened that she had to share the room but we got it changed the moment we got to know. Mayuri at first said there was no problem but later a complaint was filed with SAI - what happened is now a matter of investigation."

Suggested Reading: Sologamy: Vadodara Woman To Play Mantras On Tape After Priest Backs Out