NHRC hosts open house on protecting human rights of sportspersons in India

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, held an open house discussion on “Sports and Human Rights: Safeguarding the Rights and Well-being of Sportspersons” at its New Delhi office on Tuesday. The session, chaired by Acting Chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, addressed the necessity of maintaining human values within sports and highlighted the need for institutional mechanisms to uphold sportspersons’ rights for better national performance.

Importance of intersectionality in athlete rights

Sayani underscored the importance of recognizing intersectionality, noting that forms of discrimination, such as racism, homophobia, and ableism, often prevent certain athletes—especially women and marginalized groups—from participating fully in sports. She urged sports policymakers to understand and address these layered issues for inclusive participation.

Zero tolerance for abuse in sports

NHRC Director General (Investigation) Ajay Bhatnagar emphasized a zero-tolerance stance on sexual abuse in sports, calling on institutions to be more accountable in safeguarding athletes, particularly those in authority. Strengthening judicial mechanisms to address rights violations and mental health support were also stressed as vital for protecting athletes’ well-being.

Three key sessions on athlete support

NHRC Joint Secretary Devendra Kumar Nim outlined the event’s three technical sessions, which focused on the “Rehabilitation of Sportspersons after Incidents of Abuse,” “Mental Health of Sportspersons in India,” and “Institutional Frameworks Required to Safeguard Interests of Sportspersons.”

Key recommendations

Several actionable recommendations emerged from the discussion:

Psychological training for coaches: Coaches should undergo training in clinical psychology to better support athletes.

Insurance streamlining: Implement streamlined insurance benefits for athletes dealing with sports injuries.

Reporting abuse: Raise awareness among athletes on how to report sexual abuse, backed by functioning institutional mechanisms.

Support for aara-athletes: Strengthen institutional frameworks to ensure para-athletes receive equitable support.

Equity in sports: Create mechanisms to foster social equity among sportspersons from diverse and marginalized backgrounds.

Attendees and organizational participation

Representatives from prominent institutions, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Netaji Subhas Sports Authority of India, and the National Sports University in Imphal, as well as organizations like the GoSports Foundation, UK-based Humans for Sports, and the Sports and Rights Alliance from Switzerland, attended the discussion, contributing valuable insights on protecting and advancing the rights of sportspersons in India.