National Archery Coach Sentenced for Sexual Harassment of Junior Athlete

Serious Safety Concerns for Women Athletes in India

A national archery coach has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of sexually harassing a junior athlete, highlighting the ongoing safety issues faced by women in sports in India. The conviction of Kuldeep Vedwan, a well-known figure in Indian archery, was announced by a special fast-track court in Sonipat, Haryana, on May 20. The case, which falls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act, dates back to April 2023 when the incident occurred during the Youth Archery Championship trials.

Details of the Incident

According to reports, the victim, a junior athlete from Jammu & Kashmir, was training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) center in Sonipat. During the trials, the coach allegedly entered her hotel room at 4:00 AM and made inappropriate advances towards her, which lasted for about 15 minutes before she managed to escape. The athlete later claimed that Kuldeep pressured her to remain in his room during future visits, promising to help her become a prominent player. Following the incident, he reportedly apologized and urged her to keep the matter confidential. After confiding in her family, a complaint was lodged with the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which advised them to approach the police.

Background on Kuldeep Vedwan

Kuldeep Vedwan is a former national-level archer and served in the Indian army before transitioning to coaching. He has established several archery academies across Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, and Uttar Pradesh, and is recognized for his contributions to coaching para-archers, including the talented Sheetal Devi.