Published Jun 18, 2026 | 8:35 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 18, 2026 | 8:35 PM
Cricket Pitch. (Creative Commons: Nichalp)
Synopsis: The Human Rights Commission order said women coaches can train fellow women and girls. Men should not be allowed inside changing rooms used by women and girls, it insisted.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to appoint female coaches for training women and girl cricketers, observing that women and girls can be adequately trained by female coaches.
The directive was issued by Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas while disposing of a suo motu case registered based on media reports alleging sexual harassment and indecent behaviour by a cricket coach towards girls undergoing training under the KCA.
The Commission stated that where a female coach is unavailable, a senior official should be present during training sessions.
It also ordered that men should not be allowed inside changing rooms used by women and girls and suggested the installation of warning boards wherever necessary. The order further stated that parents of girl trainees should be permitted to remain at training venues if they wish.
CCTV cameras should be installed at appropriate locations to prevent untoward incidents, with footage reviewed periodically, with any suspicious activity being immediately reported to the police. The Commission further directed that complaints against trainers be promptly handed over to law enforcement authorities.
It also asked district cricket associations to strictly implement the KCA’s instruction barring an accused coach, who is facing trial in a POCSO case, from associating with other district units.
Among the measures proposed by the KCA are making police clearance certificates mandatory for job applicants, formulating a comprehensive Child Protection Policy, providing counselling for employees, and constituting an Internal Complaints Committee to prevent workplace sexual harassment.
The Commission ordered strict implementation of these measures and called for awareness programmes for young coaches to prevent sexual abuse of children.
Justice Alexander Thomas also directed the KCA to remain highly vigilant to prevent the recurrence of incidents such as the case in which a minor girl accused an assistant coach of the Thiruvananthapuram District Cricket Association of rape.
According to the Commission, the Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Police have registered six cases against the coach.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
