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Meghalaya women’s cricket team is in controversy as allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct have surfaced against members of the state’s Under-23 women’s cricket team.
The incident, which has been kept under wraps for several months, has raised questions over player safety, institutional accountability and structural concerns of the state’s cricket governing body.
What are the allegations?
It has been widely reported that cricketers had made allegations months ago, but no one bothered to take the allegations seriously. The matter has come to light as it has attracted the attention of the Meghalaya State Women Commission.
As soon as the matter came to light, the Commission summoned the officials of the association and tried to find out whether any action had been taken to handle the situation. The accused persons have also been called to give clarification on the matter.
Who are the accused involved in Meghalaya Under-23 women’s cricket team?
According to the allegations, some members of the team’s support staff have been accused of inappropriate conduct, verbal harassment and offensive communications through private messaging platforms.
Meghalaya Monitor has quoted Lamonlang Siem, in-charge of the four-member commission, to know the current scenario regarding the matter. Syeem reportedly heard from Meghalaya Cricket Association honorary secretary Reynolds Kharkmani, former president Naba Bhattacharjee and manager Shining Star Lyngdoh on Tuesday (May 26).
“We have to hear one more person, after which we will be able to conclude the hearing,” the news website quoted Siem as saying.
The media report further mentions, “When contacted, people who participated in the hearing refused to present their arguments before the Commission.
“We will wait for the commission’s report,” he said.
“What message does this send to parents who want their daughters to pursue cricket?” Sangma asked the question.
It is also reported that the allegations by the state’s women cricketers remained far from conclusive as former treasurer Dhrubjyoti Thakuria was out.
Another local media from the state, The Meghalayan Express, has published quotes from MCA president James PK Sangma, who has accused some office-bearers of the association of sweeping the matter under the carpet.
President of State Cricket Governing Body opened his mouth
“Sexual harassment, in any form and in any setting, be it a sports association or any other institution or organisation, is completely unacceptable,” Sangma wrote in the statement.
“To feign ignorance in the name of elections when a major issue was at hand, to mislead everyone with no investigation to date, or to not even provide a basic response to complainants, tells a larger story of what the MCA has been and will remain to some in it.”
As reported by The Meghalayan Express, Sangma further said, “If trust is broken, we lose not just one girl, but every girl she might have inspired. The pipeline for the future dries up before it even begins.”
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