In 2019, an audio clip went viral in parts of Haryana, the state known for being the powerhouse of Indian sports. It was a fragment of a conversation between a man and a woman. She’s telling him about a coach named Vinod Loyal. 

At the time, Loyal had risen to the status of a local hero for many because his proteges had turned Sadalpur into a hub for football talent. Six young women footballers from the village had played for India internationally and more than 10 had made the cut for the national team. All of them had been coached by Loyal at some point. Loyal’s wife Suman said, “My husband has done such a noble job that girls who could never manage to sit on a camel are now flying in airplanes.” 

In the audio clip that surfaced, the woman alleges Loyal had sexually harassed her and others coaching under him. She lists names of his victims. All of them were training with Loyal to become footballers. 

Coaches and other figures of authority abusing their power by molesting and even raping the girls entrusted in their care is the dark side of Haryana producing some of the best women athletes in the world. Between 2019 and 2023, the state saw female athletes file 24 cases of sexual harassment. Of these, 14 were under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 

Newslaundry travelled to Hisar, Bhiwani, Jind and Gurugram districts to investigate the allegations and was able to collect information about 13 of the 24 cases. During our reporting, we learnt that most of the cases were dismissed either during the police investigation or when they reached the court, usually because the survivor didn’t testify.