Former captain of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team, Jahanara Alam, has raised allegations of sexual harassment, sparking widespread discussions about abuse in the country’s sports arena. On Saturday, former athletes gathered in front of the National Stadium to demand harassment-free sports and exemplary punishment for offenders.

Kamrun Nahar Dana, a National Sports Award-winning athlete and organizer, led the protest, emphasizing the urgency of the issue. She said, “Women are excelling in every field of sports in Bangladesh. Yet, why is our sports arena not safe for them? Those responsible for harassment must face strict punishment, so no one dares to commit such acts in the future. Without accountability, women will stop participating in sports.”

Dana also made several recommendations for sports authorities, including mandatory female managers for women’s teams—criticizing the common practice of male managers overseeing female athletes—and ensuring that women hold at least 30 percent of positions in sports federations.

The protest drew significant participation from star shooters. Among them was one of the country’s leading female shooters, Kamrun Nahar Koly, who alleged ongoing mental harassment. She held the Shooting Federation’s Joint Secretary, GM Haider Sajjad, responsible, stating, “Even though I perform well and secure scores, he frequently harasses me mentally, scolds me without reason, and sometimes even calls me to his office unnecessarily.”

Koly’s husband, Abidur Rahman, also a shooter, expressed his concern over the treatment of his wife. “How can a shooter focus on the game when subjected to mistreatment? Female athletes often feel uncomfortable and embarrassed being in his office,” he said.

Former national shooter and coach Sharmin Akter Ratna also previously accused GM Haider Sajjad of inappropriate behavior. She reiterated at the protest, “There are numerous allegations against him, including offensive comments and inappropriate proposals to female shooters. We had requested the advisory committee not to include him in the federation committee. Despite this, his appointment was facilitated by the Assistant Adviser Saiful.”

Following Jahanara, female shooter Tasmayati Emma also came forward with harassment allegations against GM Haider, which her mother publicly supported during the protest. A banner featuring Haider’s image was displayed during the event.

Beyond shooting, harassment cases have also been reported in sports like badminton. The protest called for impartial investigation and justice for all such incidents. Former cricketer and ex-General Secretary of the Coaches Association, Debabrata Pal, stressed, 

“The committee formed by BCB must operate with complete neutrality. Movements will be organized at district and university levels to build a safer sports environment. Harassers have no place in sports.”

The event saw participation from former male and female athletes, organizers, and the Women’s Council’s Organizing Secretary. Protesters plan to continue their advocacy through petitions, signature campaigns, and other programs aimed at creating a safe and harassment-free sports environment.