The Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department has suspended Olympian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal from his position as head coach at the High Performance Swimming Centre in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium following allegations of physical and mental abuse by young swimmers.
Sejwal, a 2008 Beijing Olympics participant and a 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist, has been relieved of his coaching duties pending a departmental investigation, said Deepankar Mohapatra, Director of Sports Promotion in the state sports department.
Swimmers Accuse Coach of Abuse
The action against Sejwal comes after multiple young swimmers at the centre accused him of physical assault, verbal abuse, and intimidation over several months. On Saturday night, several minors from the sports hostel at the centre staged a protest against Sejwal, threatening to boycott their meals if their grievances were not addressed.
“We are continuously being threatened with expulsion if we oppose his abusive behaviour. The coach uses sexist language and has physically assaulted some of our friends during training sessions,” one of the complainants alleged.
The centre, which trains around 50 swimmers from various districts of Odisha, was established in collaboration with the JSW Group, led by industrialist Sajjan Jindal, in 2022. It is reportedly the first privately funded High Performance Centre for swimming in India.
Serious Allegations Against Sejwal
According to multiple complaints, Sejwal allegedly mocked students for their underprivileged backgrounds, used derogatory language, and engaged in physical intimidation.
“He often threatens to throw us out of the hostel. Students who perform well in training are sometimes removed from the group and then physically assaulted by the coach in private meetings,” one swimmer claimed.
Another student alleged that Sejwal would falsely accuse swimmers of misbehaviour and then retaliate if they questioned him. “He once thrashed a senior so badly that he bled from his head,” the student added.
The swimmers also alleged that Sejwal would deliberately sideline well-performing athletes and deny them adequate training support.
Odisha Sports Department Promises Action
Deepankar Mohapatra assured that a thorough probe would be conducted to ensure justice for the young athletes.
A statement issued by the sports department confirmed that an investigation into the conduct of Sejwal and other support staff at the High Performance Swimming Centre is ongoing.
“In addition, the quality of food served at the centre is also being checked. It is our responsibility to provide a safe and conducive environment for all sportspersons. Any violation of ethical standards will not be tolerated, and strict action will be taken,” the statement read.
Sources By Agencies