A kabaddi coach in Chennai has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following serious allegations of sexual harassment against a minor girl during training sessions. The accused, identified as Raju, allegedly exploited his position to engage in inappropriate behaviour with the young athlete.

The case came to light after the girl filed a complaint with the Semmenchery All Women Police Station. In her statement, she detailed several incidents of sexual harassment that occurred during the training. The girl claimed that Raju not only harassed her but also issued threats to compel her to comply with his demands.

The police have taken the allegations seriously and have registered a case against the coach. A special police team has been formed to apprehend Raju, who is currently evading capture, as confirmed by police sources.

Previous Incidents of Abuse in Sports

This incident marks the second reported case of sexual abuse within sports coaching in the month of June 2026. Earlier, law enforcement detained a football coach in Maharashtra, following accusations from a 17-year-old girl who alleged that the coach had raped her repeatedly over the course of three years while pretending to mentor her in football.

The accused in that case, identified as Abhijit Mandal, is a 36-year-old resident of Vasai, where he managed a private football training centre. Reports indicate that the victim initially sought his assistance for training in the year 2023, during which Mandal allegedly cultivated her trust before carrying out the assaults.

Allegations further revealed that Mandal recorded videos and took photographs during the assaults, using this material as a means to threaten the victim whenever she attempted to distance herself from him. These parallels highlight a troubling trend within sports coaching environments where positions of authority are misused for exploitative purposes.

Community Response and Safety Measures

The recent cases have sparked outrage within the local communities, prompting numerous discussions about safety protocols for young athletes in sports training environments. Parents and guardians are reportedly becoming increasingly vigilant regarding the backgrounds and conduct of coaches involved in their children’s training.

Local authorities are being urged to implement stricter measures and background checks for coaches to ensure the safety and well-being of minors in sports programmes. Educational sessions highlighting the rights of young athletes and proper reporting procedures for abuse are also being recommended.

Many sports organisations are facing pressure to establish clearer rules regarding the treatment of minors and to foster an environment where victims feel safe to report any misconduct without fear of retribution. It is crucial for the sporting community to prioritise the protection of children to prevent further incidents of abuse.

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