The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has suspended PT Paulose, an Asian Games bronze medalist and India’s first Olympic rower, following a complaint by a female assistant rowing coach. The move came amid growing scrutiny of athlete welfare mechanisms across training centers in the country.
Paulose, 49, had been serving as the High Performance Director at the National Center of Excellence in Alappuzha, Kerala. According to a Times of India report, the action was initiated after a formal complaint was filed earlier this year.
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“Paulose, 49, has been suspended after a female assistant rowing coach filed a complaint in Jan this year,” SAI source was quoted as saying.
“On receiving the complaint, SAI initiated a departmental inquiry against Paulose, which is currently under process,” the source added.
Earlier this month, SAI had transferred Paulose to its Imphal centre. The decision, officials indicated, was taken to ensure that the inquiry proceeds without any interference.
“He was transferred to SAI’s Imphal center earlier this month to ensure he cannot intimidate the victim or influence the probe in any manner,” the source said, adding, “Due action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.”
The specifics of the allegations have not been made public so far. Attempts to reach Paulose for comment were unsuccessful.
While the investigation continues, the development has revived concerns about the environment within training centers that are meant to nurture athletes. For many young sportspersons, these institutions are not just places of training but spaces where they live, grow, and place immense trust in authority figures. Incidents like these, therefore, resonate far beyond the immediate case, casting a shadow on the sense of security athletes depend on.
Incidents from the past
The incident has brought back the memories of a deeply distressing incident in 2015 at SAI’s Alappuzha centre. Four female rowers had attempted suicide after allegedly facing physical and mental harassment from senior athletes. They consumed a toxic fruit known as Othalanga (cerbera odollam), a tragic incident that highlighted the pressures and vulnerabilities within the system.
In that case, a 15-year-old lost her life, while the others survived. Reports at the time suggested that the athletes were being forced to carry out chores for their seniors, with the harassment intensifying whenever they resisted.
In January this year, two female students, aged 18 and 15, were found dead by hanging inside a SAI hostel in Kollam. Police stated that preliminary findings pointed to suspected suicide. Notes seeking forgiveness from their parents were recovered, although further details have not been disclosed.
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Data presented in Parliament underscores the scale of the issue. Over the past decade, 33 complaints of sexual harassment have been reported within SAI centers – 25 against coaches and eight against administrative staff.
As the inquiry into Paulose continues, the spotlight is once again on the systems meant to safeguard athletes. Beyond the outcome of a single case, the larger challenge lies in ensuring that every athlete and staff member feels safe, heard, and protected – not just in policy, but in practice.
