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Neetal Narang Named India’s First Asian Games Safeguarding Officer
Neetal Narang will help Indian athletes feel safe during the Asian Games.
Athletes can speak to her about bullying, neglect, harassment or abuse.
She will keep their complaints confidential.
She will work with the Olympic Council of Asia’s safeguarding officer.
This is the first time India has appointed such an officer for its Asian Games team.
The Games will take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
India plans to send 503 athletes in 36 sports.
The team also has a concern because only 56 of its 246 support staff members are women.
The Sports Ministry has asked for more female staff to support women athletes.
Neetal Narang will serve as India’s first Asian Games Safeguarding Officer.
She will confidentially receive complaints involving harassment, abuse, bullying, neglect or isolation.
The Olympic Council of Asia made safeguarding officers mandatory in 2022.
India will send 503 athletes across 36 disciplines to the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Only 56 of the 246 support staff members are women, prompting ministry concern.
- Who
- Neetal Narang, India’s athletes, the Indian Olympic Association and the Olympic Council of Asia.
- What
- Narang will serve as India’s first Asian Games Safeguarding Officer and handle athlete welfare complaints.
- Where
- The Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- When
- The 20th Asian Games are scheduled for September 19 to October 4; the OCA made the role mandatory in 2022.
- Why
- The role is intended to give athletes a confidential way to report harassment, abuse, neglect, bullying and related concerns.
Greater Safeguarding and Representation
Federation Choice and Practical Constraints
Female Support Staff
Greater Safeguarding and Representation
The Sports Ministry directed the Indian Olympic Association to ensure adequate female doctors, physiotherapists, masseuses and other support staff for women athletes.
Federation Choice and Practical Constraints
An Indian Olympic Association source said federations cannot be forced to include a specific number of women officials because no such mandate exists.
Staffing Decisions
Greater Safeguarding and Representation
The ministry’s position emphasizes welfare and assistance for female athletes, especially in squads without designated female support staff.
Federation Choice and Practical Constraints
The Indian Olympic Association said staffing choices may depend on athletes’ preferred coaches and other discipline-specific considerations.
Key facts
- Safeguarding Officer
- Neetal Narang
- Games
- 20th Asian Games
- Venue and dates
- Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4
- Indian athletes
- 503 athletes: 269 men and 234 women
- Disciplines
- 36
- Support staff
- 246 total, including 56 women, roughly 22 percent
- Previous medal tally
- India won 106 medals at the previous edition: 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze
Quotes
Neetal Narang
India's first Asian Games Safeguarding Officer and President of the Softball Association of India
“It's a very broad role which will cover something as small as neglect to something as grievous as mental harassment or worse sexual harassment. My job is to give athletes a safe space to express themselves whether it is psychological abuse or harassment or bullying, neglect and isolation. The process of dealing with these complaints will be kept confidential to inspire confidence among athletes.”
rediff.com
theprint.in
“They have already been sensitised and will be given a broader idea of what they can expect of a Safeguarding Officer in the coming days. It's the first time India is having such an officer for its Asian Games contingent and hopefully it would prove to be beneficial.”
rediff.com
theprint.in
Olympic Council of Asia
The continental sports governing body that mandated safeguarding officers
“Harassment and abuse have no space in sport, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure safe sports all year round. Any athlete should be given the option to report to a safeguarding officer when needed.”
rediff.com
theprint.in
Sources
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