‘There may be 30 Jahanaras who haven’t spoken up’

Allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct recently made by former Bangladesh women's team captain Jahanara Alam against team management and support staff has sparked a countrywide uproar. The issue has once again put the spotlight on women's safety in sports -- something often overlooked in this country in spite of similar allegations surfacing across disciplines in the past. Former champion shuttler and ex-general secretary of the Women's Sports Association Quamrun Nahar Dana, who is also a vocal advocate for female athlete rights, spoke with The Daily Star's Anisur Rahman on the issue. Excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star: How do you view the allegations made by Jahanara Alam as a former athlete and current organizer?

Quamrun Nahar Dana: it is very painful. I can't find the words to condemn it. I am sure the accused will deny the allegations thinking that girls are weaker, but we are not.

DS: Similar allegations have come out earlier in other disciplines too, why is this happening time and again?

QND: I think it is happening because of poor management of the respective federations. The top officials of those federation likely have the same mindset as the culprits. If not, then why don't they properly investigate the incidents and give punitive punishment? Their indifference to such allegations encourages the culprits to repeat their action, as there is no fear of being punished.

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DS: How difficult is it for a player to perform under such circumstances?

QND: For a player, it's really tough to perform after receiving such a disgusting proposal. Will she perform or protect herself? It also puts a female player under mental pressure because as she can't reveal it, fearing it would turn into a scandal. Jahanara dared to reveal it but not everyone can. In cricket, you may find 30 Jahanaras who haven't spoken up.

DS: Do you think such incidence discourage girls from taking up sports?

QND: Of course, the guardians will be hesitant before letting their daughters enter sports. Do you see any renowned organiser sending their sons or daughters into sports, no. Because they know that this path has no future, no environment and no security. We should be thankful to the families who allow their children, especially girls, to enter sports. If we can't honour and protect these girls, then we will stop getting female athletes in the future.

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DS: Some are trying to discredit Jahanara's allegations, questioning why she did it after getting excluded from the side. Is there any justification for such an argument?

QND: She might have not revealed it then out of fear of getting dropped from the national team. But she was clearly mentally disturbed which led to poor performances. I feel that female athletes try to solve a matter like this by herself at first, before disclosing it. I think when an allegation like this arises, there is always some basis to it.

DS: Do you think male-dominated coaching staff and team management is a major cause for such incidences?

QND: It is one of the major reasons. If there were women in both the coaching panel and team management, there will be no scope for such things. I also want to know why federations don't appoint former female players in different roles with the team and don't send female officials with the team during overseas tours?

DS: How can women's sports in the country get rid of this menace?

QND: In line with Olympic charter, every national federation should have 30 percent women representation. But we are not following it. We should strictly follow it to ensure maximum female organisers in national sports bodies. Female coaches and officials have to be included to run the women's wings. The federations also should groom former female athletes as coaches, umpires and officials to ensure all-women staff in women's teams.

We had once convinced former sports minister Biren Sikder to send a circular from the ministry saying only female managers and officials are allowed to travel with the women's team. But it became ineffective after his tenure ended. Now we have to fight for it again.

However, the most important thing is to take firm action as soon as such allegations emerge and hand those people a life-time ban from sports.