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India's decorated swimmer Virdhawal Khade was handed one-year suspension by the Khar Gymkhana after allegations by an 18-year-old trainee swimmer of sending lewd messages to her. According to a report published by Sakal Digital, Virdhawal came into the limelight after the 18-year-old swimmer’s parents filed a complaint in August this year.
Notably, the decision by the Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA) to suspend Virdhawal Khade for one year and ban him from participating in any meeting followed after the girl’s parents report, which was put forth on August 8, 2024, prompting the committee to take strict actions.
Virdhawal Khade banned over “inappropriate behaviour”
However, the 33-year-old has accepted the allegations stated by the girl’s parents, the GMAAA in a letter informed as quoted, "A complaint was received from an aggrieved parent of a girl swimmer you coached at a suburban Gymkhana in Mumbai for the past couple of years citing inappropriate behaviour on your part which left her daughter outraged, scared and traumatized. In her detailed complaint, the parent indicated that the unsavory incident occurred on the night of 8th August 2024.”
The letter of complaint also claimed that Virdhawal engaged in late-night talks with the girls and sent obscene photographs, leaving her traumatised. Furthermore, the letter further revealed that Virdhawal expressed his regret towards his actions and unconditionally apologized for it.
However, the girl who has now moved abroad, has stated that she does not wish to take the issue further. The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has also taken note of the situation, and General Secretary Monal Choksi acknowledged his removal from the Federation's Athletes Commission. "We got the letter from the GMAAA on October 30, and we have a disciplinary committee to look into it. We also have a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee to address these sorts of issues. This case will be thoroughly investigated," SFI General Secretary said.
Who is Virdhawal Khade?
Born in Kolhapur, Virdhawal is the fastest swimmer and has clinched a bronze in the 50-meter butterfly event at the Asian Games 2010 in China. Virdhawal Khade competed in the men's 50, 100, and 200-meter freestyle swimming events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but fell short of making the semi-finals. However, he has a record in the 100-meter freestyle swimming event. Recently, he gave up his government job to focus on coaching the next generation in swimming.
