Shameful Message Inside Restroom In Bengaluru Stadium Tells Female Athletes To Masturbate
Dec 15, 2016 at 11:48 AM
Track and field athletes who train at the Kanteerava stadium are no stranger to the unbearable stench originating from restrooms, unhygienic conditions, lack of water and urinary tract infections. But on Monday in a ladies restroom, they saw something extremely shameful and offensive which left them humiliated.
There were obscene printed messages at four places in the restroom which asked female athletes to masturbate before practice. The printed messages were first noticed by two female athletes on Saturday evening after which on Monday a few senior girls noticed the same and reported it to the coaches and officials. They came to the conclusion that the ladies restroom were targeted after checking all the other restrooms.
An athlete who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “On Monday, some of the younger athletes were seen asking others to refrain from using the restroom as there was something ‘bad’ there. I went there out of curiosity and was shocked to see the message, signed by ‘Sports Authority’. It is so disturbing and humiliating that somebody could enter the ladies’ restroom and spend time pasting those messages without being noticed”
This is shocking: Note in B'luru stadium tells female athletes to masturbate before practice Shocking harassment in B'luru stadium pic.twitter.com/7oDrhKHova
— the millennial pilgrim (@Somi_Das) December 13, 2016
The incident has terrorised the athletes who are now scared to use the restrooms at the stadium.
Another female athlete was quoted, “The thought of using those restrooms is scary. If somebody could paste the messages without being noticed, then what is the guarantee people won’t try to install spy cameras? There were no such messages in the men’s restrooms which mean the female athletes are being targeted. This amounts to sexual harassment, and I hope the authorities take it seriously”
The incident has had a big impact on the parents of the athletes as well who are now scared to send their daughters to the stadium.
On this context international athlete-turned-coach, Pramila Aiyappa said, “I’m shocked to know such an incident has occurred despite tight security. It’s bad that we don’t have enough female athletes. Such things will further discourage parents from allowing their children to take up the sport. That said, you can’t blame the parents. I understand their concerns because my daughter too trains with us at the stadium.”
The department of youth empowerment and sports (DYES) has warned the athletes and coaches as they feel it could be an insider’s job. They have also promised to modify the security at the stadium.
“We have spoken to coaches and clubs and warned them that if anyone is found guilty they will be barred from entering the stadium. This apart, I have also spoken to stadium authorities. We will ensure a more efficient security programme”
A female athlete further argued that it is now highly possible for outsiders to install spy cameras in the restrooms if the security system is not enhanced while coach Pramila Aiyappa admitted that parents would now discourage their children to take up the sport.