A 34-year-old coach Maksat Ayazbayev from Kazakhstan, who worked with the Indian national cycling team, has been placed on the wanted list following a statement about the alleged rape of a minor athlete. The Kazakh Cycling Federation commented on the situation and emphasised that the specialist has no connection to the Kazakhstan national team.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
According to The Times of India, police in the city of Patiala have opened a criminal case against Maksat Ayazbayev. The athlete's statement was filed after the alleged incident on 13 September 2026 at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), located on the grounds of the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS).
On 18 September, police registered a criminal case under the POCSO Act, which provides for the protection of minors from sexual offences.
THE COACH HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE WANTED LIST
According to the publication, police issued an international wanted notice, seized Ayazbayev's passport and formed two teams to search for him. At the time of publication, the coach remained unavailable to law enforcement agencies.
According to police representatives, after the athlete's statement was filed, the suspect was in Delhi. Law enforcement officers also carried out search operations in several areas of Delhi and the National Capital Region of India.
In addition, Ayazbayev was due to accompany the Indian national team to the Asian Games in Japan, but after the accusations emerged, his travel permission was cancelled.
HOW THE KAZAKHSTAN FEDERATION RESPONDED
The Kazakh Cycling Federation stated that Maksat Ayazbayev had worked in India in recent years under a contract with the local side and was involved in preparing that country's national team.
The organisation emphasised that the coach is not part of the Kazakhstan national team, and the events reported by the Indian media took place outside the country during his work with the Indian side.
According to information available to the Kazakh federation, the Indian Cycling Federation has suspended the specialist's activities during the investigation.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT FURTHER ACTIONS
The Indian police are continuing the investigation. The victim has undergone a medical examination and has also received psychological and legal counselling in accordance with established protocols for the protection of minors.
The Kazakh Cycling Federation stated that it has no grounds to comment on the substance of the investigation and intends to rely on official information from the competent authorities of India.
