Swimming coach sacked for alleged molestation, Rijiju promises stern action

Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju said he had taken "a strong view" of the incident and added that he has asked the Swimming Federation of India not to employ Ganguly anywhere in the country.

Rijiju wrote on Wednesday, "A stringent action will be taken through Sports Authority. Firstly, it's a heinous crime of serious nature so I'll urge the Police to take stringent penal action against the coach urgently."

The Goa Swimming Association has terminated the contract of coach Surajit Ganguly, who allegedly molested a 15-year-old swimmer.

Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said he had taken "a strong view" of the incident and added that he has asked the Swimming Federation of India not to employ Ganguly anywhere in the country.

I've taken a strong view of the incident. The Goa Swimming Association has terminated the contract of coach Surajit Ganguly. I'm asking the Swimming Federation of India to ensure that this coach is not employed anywhere in India. This applies to all Federations & disciplines. https://t.co/q6H1ixZVsi

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 5, 2019

Rijiju wrote on Wednesday, "A stringent action will be taken through Sports Authority. Firstly, it's a heinous crime of serious nature so I'll urge the Police to take stringent penal action against the coach urgently."

A stringent action will be taken through Sports Authority. Firstly, it's a heinous crime of serious nature so I'll urge the Police to take stringent penal action against the coach urgently. https://t.co/M4K9ffHST9

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 4, 2019

The GSA confirmed that Ganguly’s contract has been terminated.

”...we terminated Surajit’s contract immediately after watching the video. Both the girl and coach are from Bengal,” GSA Secretary Syed Abdul Majid said.

Ganguly was appointed by the GSA about two and a half years ago for its Mapusa facility.

“We had appointed him because he had a good track record as a coach. There have been no prior complaints against him,” he added.

In the year 2017, Goa Legislative Assembly had even moved a motion congratulating him along with other coaches for bringing “pride and glory to swimming and diving sports and to the state.”

(With inputs from PTI)