Former women's hockey team goalkeeper says was assaulted by head coach

E-Paper | April 27, 2026

Sadia Khan demands justice in a video message sent to the media.

Former goalkeeper for the women's national hockey team Syeda Sadia has accused the team's head coach, Saeed Khan, of harassment and assault, DawnNews reported on Thursday.

Sadia, who is also captain of the Railways hockey team, has alleged that Khan harassed and assaulted her on the night of October 8 after an argument.

According to Sadia, she had stayed back in Lahore after not making it to the national side in trials held on October 6 because her manager had asked her stay till her dues were cleared.

On the day of the incident, October 8, she said at night she was told to immediately leave the hockey stadium by Khan, who also abused her verbally. She alleged that Khan then followed her to her room and grabbed her arm.

According to Sadia, other players who witnessed the assault and rushed to help her were told to turn back by the coach.

He then tried to enter her room forcefully, gagged her and held her hand, she has alleged. She said the coach was forced to release her after she tried to scream and run.

After the incident, she was so distraught that she immediately packed her bags and left for home, she added.

She also alleged that, a few days prior to the assault, Khan had given her his phone number and asked her to call him "at night".

She wrote to Punjab Sports Minister Jahangir Khanzada on October 9 to report the matter and ask that Khan be immediately separated from the women he coaches.

In response to her letter, Khanzada had asked Director General Sports Amir Jan to investigate and submit a report within 10 days. However, no action has been taken so far.

Sadia had also written to the Pakistan Hockey Federation demanding justice. In a video message sent to media representatives, which emerged on Thursday, she urged that authorities look into the matter and to fire Khan immediately.

"He [Khan] has [harassed] me today. If he stays, he will harass other players as well," she said.

Khan rejected Sadia's allegations as "baseless", claiming that she was trying to "create a scandal" because she was dropped from the team.

Sadia had been part of the national team for five years.

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Florida

Oct 19, 2017 07:52pm

We have closed circuit cameras all over public buildings these days. This can be easily verified.

Recommend 0

M. Emad

Oct 19, 2017 07:58pm

Several years ago a Pakistani sports club offcials deny the sexual harassment charges and accused the women hockey players of "questionable behaviour" and ''breach of discipline''. Few women cricketers banned for 'false' sex harassment claims.

Recommend 0

Imran Ahmed

Oct 19, 2017 07:59pm

This matter should not be brushed under the carpet. The veracity of these accusations of serious crimes must be established or dismissed. I wonder if our Police Services have an autonomous special investigation team that investigates and prosecutes allegations of harassment according to objective guidelines, with both sensitivity and efficiency. If our LEAs do not already possess it, we may need to import and assimilate this expertise. Meanwhile, slander and abuse must not be encouraged to displace methodical due process.

Recommend 0

Zak

Oct 19, 2017 08:03pm

Kick the coach out immediately

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Carol Lee Murphy

Oct 19, 2017 08:06pm

This is no way to treat a team player, the behavior of the coach should render him subject to discipline,no woman on the team should be made frightened, and a coach that cannot control his temper and especially with women and other women present, should not be coaching at all.

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mba

Oct 19, 2017 08:08pm

It is shameful. The written complains of a star sport-lady have produced no tangible results. Imagine how disperate can be the situation of normal women in their working environment. The accusations of Ms. Syeda Sadia against the team's head coach, Saeed Khan should be investigated seriously by a authorative team including lady judges. If proved guilty, he should be removed immediately from his duties.

Recommend 0

Lyra

Oct 19, 2017 08:09pm

@Florida : none of those cameras work. ROFL

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Abbas

Oct 19, 2017 08:09pm

@Lyra comments and thinking of this kind is the root cause of problem in our country and around the world. What do you know happened in the last 5 years?? It is shameful and downright criminal for anyone to make any presumptions and suggestions of this nature without knowing the full facts. This is a serious issue involving real people and should be treated with utmost care and respect. If you cant support the person laying the claim the least you could do is stay silent.

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anum

Oct 19, 2017 08:20pm

why can't people let women work in peace? why must men ruin it every time.

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saeeds

Oct 19, 2017 08:23pm

@Zak It is hard to give judgement in this type of accusation. Unless someone come with strong evidence. For people like us instead of giving our opinion hope for that justice prevail.

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Bangash

Oct 19, 2017 08:32pm

womens rights only exist in pakistan in name only.

Recommend 0

Salim

Oct 19, 2017 08:41pm

Women being harassed every where and every day. Please give them some room to live by making stricter laws.

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Chacha

Oct 19, 2017 09:07pm

Needs to be taken seriously

Recommend 0

Hopeful

Oct 19, 2017 11:13pm

File an FIR

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I.Ahmed

Oct 19, 2017 11:45pm

For female hockey, cricket and football teams, only female coaches should be hired. Men only for security.

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Abbas Khan

Oct 20, 2017 12:30am

Please Fire the coach immediately and take legal action against him. I believe her story, the behavior of Pakistani men in sport field are exactly like that.

Recommend 0

DR RATHORE THROUGH THE LENS OF MIDDLE EAST

Oct 20, 2017 12:36am

SORRY TO HEAR HER STORY.GOD KNOWS WHERE THE MORAL HAS GONE

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muhammad qasim

Oct 20, 2017 01:18am

Should be investigated.

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Saif Shareef

Oct 20, 2017 01:19am

@M. Emad What's your point? Is she lying?

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SA KHAN

Oct 20, 2017 01:26am

In this country, the coach of the Women Football Team had been made to resign his job for anti- social behaviour towards a women player

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Abdulla Hussain

Oct 20, 2017 01:27am

In all probability yes this player must have got assaulted by the head coach out of rage. There should be a thorough investigation and either of the two lying should be banned for life from all hockey activities.

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Salman Jan

Oct 20, 2017 01:47am

Hockey Federation should set a trial and make necessary judgement after open investigation into this matter.

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Vinay

Oct 20, 2017 01:48am

This lady has no reason to just make up this story. This Saeed fellow should be investigated thoroughly and justice delivered to this poor lady.

Recommend 0

Ok it is again

Oct 20, 2017 02:24am

Indian Pakistani men treat women like third class citizen.

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Justice

Oct 20, 2017 02:59am

Investigate and this coach should be removed immoderately

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Ostrich Head In Hole.

Oct 20, 2017 05:06am

"According to Sadia, other players who witnessed the assault and rushed to help her were told to turn back by the coach". Since there are witnesses to the incident, immediate action should have been taken to record their statement! "She also alleged that, a few days prior to the assault, Khan had given her his phone number and asked her to call him "at night". This also can be checked, verified and authenticated from the telephone she is referring to and the internet providers! "In response to her letter, Khanzada had asked Director General Sports Amir Jan to investigate and submit a report within 10 days. However, no action has been taken so far". Attitude of Director General of Sports, shows bias that needs to be questioned! From here onward, Sports Authorities must see to it that Senior Females Players (Active and or Retired) are brought in to deal with women's team in any of National Sports!

Recommend 0

sajjad Ahmad Khan

Oct 20, 2017 06:22am

It's a simple solution . Appoint only female coaches.

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sajjad Ahmad Khan

Oct 20, 2017 06:23am

It's a simple solution . Appoint only female coaches.

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LAHORI KID

Oct 20, 2017 06:26am

@Florida, Cameras all over the public buildings? Yeah sure, in Florida

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Khuram

Oct 20, 2017 07:33am

Matter must be investigated. Seems player had no issue with coach for last five years but as soon as she was dropped, all of this happened. If found guilty, the coach must be punished and if the player is found guilty of makig false claims, she must aslo be punished as per law.

Recommend 0

Yankee Cricket Fan

Oct 20, 2017 07:35am

@Zak Disagree. Don't kick him out, instead prosecute him for the crime he committed by taking advantage of his position.

Recommend 0

Yankee Cricket Fan

Oct 20, 2017 07:37am

No woman alleges these actions for no reason, especially in a society like Pakistan where the woman is actually taking a huge risk my opening her mouth. The one who does, is telling the truth 9 times out of 10. Take severe actions against the coach.

Recommend 0

Javed (Afghan)

Oct 20, 2017 07:44am

@I.Ahmed no segregation is not the only way to provide security . The coach can be publicly shamed and thrown in jail if found guilty and an example can be made of so that others know the consequences. Living inside a burqa for safety is quite an extreme measure that proves the men or women laws of the country can not be trusted .

Recommend 0

kamranchaudhry

Oct 20, 2017 08:48am

thousand of incidance happening daily with concent at all level.it only notified when something happen fruitless.how is the stupid to catch and shoult in mid of corridor .so much drama in this emerging era of faminization and scandles. they should be open up at the time of event when they become shocked rushed with anger and humiliation not after many of years when so many stating to notifying as still i believe that true incident is the worse uguleast crime on mind and body.

Recommend 0

Oct 20, 2017 09:02am

This has witnesses and CCTV footage. Quick action must be taken to set a precedent for future men and I guess women to keep their hands off of others. Too many procedures and processes will send a different message. The allegations are quite blatant and their authenticity verifiable without much ado.

Recommend 0

Oct 20, 2017 09:06am

@mba Indeed and punished severely. The position this coach holds requires that he be paid the price of perpetrating such assault

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 20, 2017 01:56pm

What a shame?

Recommend 0

Leoman

Oct 22, 2017 07:09am

According to Khan, she is trying to raise a scandal but why can't this be considered, you dropped her on baseless reasons. Hopefully, you will say the same things in case your daughter or sister faces same situation.

Recommend 0

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