Login Register
Follow Us

2 clubs objected to sending Tarapore as sailing coach

Show comments

Tribune News Service

Vinayak Padmadeo

New Delhi, June 13

Two sailing clubs affiliated with the Yachting Association of India (YAI) had objected to sending Lt Cdr Farokh Tarapore (retd), who has been accused of mental harassment, as the 470 class coach with the team for the training-cum-competition stint in Europe. Tarapore was accused of mental harassment by a female sailor during the Europe trip.

The Army Yachting Node (AYN) and the National Sailing School (NSS), Bhopal, were the two clubs not in favour of naming Tarapore as the coach.

The Commanding Officer of AYN, Colonel NS Johal, had written two letters to YAI. “Our apprehensions regarding conduct of the coach were based on his demonstrated behaviour towards No 2 Team in India,” Johal wrote in his letter in May.

In a previous letter written in March, Johal said that the AYN team would be neglected during the Europe training stint. “…I have no confidence in Lt Cdr F Tarapore (Retd) being appointed as Coach for both the teams as I am certain of his utter disregard for the potential of AYN Team and neglect which they will suffer during the event,” he wrote.

Interestingly, Ravi Kumar Gupta, ADG, director of sports and youth welfare at Bhopal, writing on behalf of NSS, too had raised similar objections to Tarapore’s continuation as coach. Gupta had detailed a similar treatment of another girl sailor, from the centre. “…We therefore do not support him to be the Coach of the 470 team at all. Coach Igor Marenic our team coach is already booked to accompany the team. We would like you to kindly accept our request in this regard,” he wrote.

However, YAI ignored these objections and recommended Tarapore’s continuance as the coach. “There were objections from both Army Yachting Node and NSS Bhopal,” YAI joint secretary general Captain Jitendra Dixit said. “We looked into it. There are 10 other teams under him as part of the national program. He was appointed as we felt he was the best coach in the 470 class,” he added.

YAI clears coach in harassment case

The Yachting Association of India (YAI) has already cleared Lt Cdr Farokh Tarapore (retd) in the harassment complaint. In the report sent to executive director (teams) of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), YAI secretary general Cdr BR Singh has said that the complaint was to “malign the most decorated sailor in the country”. “The coach, Lt Cdr Farokh Tarapore, a renowned Indian sailor and Arjuna Awardee seems to be a hard taskmaster. As per the coach, the fitness level of the team is below expected level and he therefore has to bring it up,” the report sent to SAI reads. The report further says that the female sailor in question wants to return if Tarapore stays as coach.

About The Author

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Show comments
Show comments

Trending News

Also In This Section


Top News



Most Read In 24 Hours