10 August,2010 08:14 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
That's what Wrestling Federation president G S Mander thinks of Sonika Kaliraman (left) after she accused people connected to her sport of sexually harassing her
Days after the Indian women's hockey team alleged sexual harassment from coach MK Kaushik, and former Olympic weightlifter Karnam Malleswari bringing to light sexual attacks on female lifters by national coaches, yesterday Indian sport continued to stroll the dark alleys of sexual abuse. This time in wrestling. India wrestler Sonika Kaliraman makes her point in New Delhi yesterday. PIC/IMTIYAZ KHAN
Out in the open
India wrestler Sonika Kaliraman came to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee office yesterday to voice her displeasure at being omitted from the CWG squad. Even as the attractive wrestler-turned-model alleged that Wrestling Federation of India president GS Mander asked her for money in exchange for a place in the national side, her comment on sexual harassment being rampant in Indian wrestling caught all the attention. Sonika claimed to be a victim of the abuse.
"When I made my debut in 1999 at an international event, I remember one night our chief coach entered my hotel room in an inebriated state with an obviously dirty intention.
"I objected and in turn had him removed from the federation," revealed Sonika. She added that female wrestlers too are to blame as they are more than willing to compromise.u00a0 "The girls are ready to do anything for a place in the national team and officials take advantage of this. Even today there are some coaches, who take advantage of some of our female wrestlers and no one says anything against them. I'm being targeted because I'm not afraid to open my mouth," added Sonika.
Mander was furious when informed of the allegation. "Sonika is a cry baby. She is frustrated at being left out of the team. We have just wrapped up the trials here in Patiala and I'm on my way to Delhi to tackle this problem.
"I will file a defamation suit against Sonika," warned Mander. Later in the evening a statement signed by some of the wrestlers against Sonika emerged. Sonika however remained confident of her stand. "I fear no one and will go to the highest authority in the country to seek justice," she signed off.
It sure seems to be too early to decide the winner of this bout.
