Foreign Cycling Coach Booked Over Alleged Rape of Minor Athlete in Patiala; Look Out Circular Issued
The coach has been identified in media reports as Maksat Ayazbayev, a former professional road cyclist from Kazakhstan who was associated with the Indian cycling team. Patiala police said he was in Delhi when the complaint came to light and subsequently became untraceable.
A 34-year-old foreign coach associated with the Indian cycling setup has been booked under the Protection of Children from S*xual Offences (POCSO) Act following a complaint by a minor cyclist training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Patiala. Police have issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the coach, who has reportedly remained untraceable since the complaint emerged.
The FIR was registered at Patiala's Civil Lines police station on September 18 following the minor athlete's complaint. Police have formed teams to trace the accused and are investigating the allegations. Punjab: 52-Year-Old School Headmaster Arrested for Raping Minor Girl in Hoshiarpur.
Coach Reportedly Untraceable
The coach has been identified in media reports as Maksat Ayazbayev, a former professional road cyclist from Kazakhstan who was associated with the Indian cycling team. Patiala police said he was in Delhi when the complaint came to light and subsequently became untraceable.
Police have taken possession of his passport and are conducting searches to locate him. The coach had reportedly been scheduled to travel to Japan with the Indian contingent for the Asian Games, but those plans were halted after the complaint was received. Akal Takht Expels Amarjit Singh Chawla From Khalsa Panth Over Rape Case Allegations.
Cycling Federation Suspends Coach
The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) has suspended the coach following the allegations and referred the matter to its Internal Complaints Committee for an internal inquiry. The federation has also extended legal and psychological support to the minor athlete, according to reports. The identity of the minor has not been disclosed, in accordance with legal protections for children involved in sexual-offence cases.
Investigation Underway
Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and efforts are underway to trace the accused. Authorities have issued the LOC as part of measures to prevent the accused from leaving the country while the investigation continues. The allegations against the coach have not been established in court. The police investigation and the federation's internal inquiry are ongoing.
Patiala NCOE's Role in Athlete Training
The NCOE in Patiala is operated under the Sports Authority of India and is among the national centres that provide specialised training and support to elite and developing athletes. Cycling is one of the disciplines covered at the Patiala centre.
The centre is housed within the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports campus, one of India's major sports-training institutions. The institute conducts national coaching camps and provides training and sports-science support to athletes preparing for international competitions. The case has prompted an investigation into the allegations as authorities work to trace the accused and establish the circumstances of the incident.
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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2026 09:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
