New Delhi, July 15: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has instructed Hockey India management to investigate allegations made by former captain Asunta Lakra. Lakra has accused a coach from Jharkhand of sexually harassing young female players. Additionally, she claims that the federation’s secretary threatened her.
The ministry has urged Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey to pay attention to Lakra’s email and present it to the federation’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
The directive states, “It is requested that the issues raised in Asunta Lakra’s email be considered by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) formed by Hockey India under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The ministry should be informed of the outcome.”
It appears that the ministry has put the onus on Hockey India, as Lakra has also called for an independent investigation by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) against coach Sudhir Gola. She has requested an inquiry into allegations of intimidation and retaliatory actions against whistleblowers, especially in cases where administrators have protected or shielded those facing complaints.
Lakra alleges that the state association ignored complaints of sexual harassment against a coach and instead intimidated those who expressed concern for the welfare of female players. The former Indian star claims that despite the alleged misconduct continuing for an extended period, players were afraid to come forward.
Lakra identified the coach as Sudhir Gola, who was appointed to oversee the Jharkhand Training Center and has been managing the team for the past one to two years. During this time, her husband also worked alongside him.
Lakra stated, “The person facing these allegations is Sudhir Gola, who is from Telangana. The government appointed him to oversee the training center in Jharkhand. He has been managing the team for the past one to two years. My husband and I were also working with him. Many had previously expressed concerns about him, but we did not take them seriously. There were controversies regarding his behavior, and we defended him because we were unaware of what was happening behind the scenes.”
She noted that the truth began to emerge only after an internal investigation. Some players found the courage to speak out, while others remained silent out of fear. She remarked, “When the internal committee began questioning players, some spoke up while others stayed quiet. Many players faced misconduct but were not ready to come forward. When one or two players found the courage to speak out, it became clear that the allegations were true.”
Additionally, Asunta Lakra has accused Hockey India’s General Secretary Bholanath Singh of intimidation after she raised concerns about the harassment of female players. However, Singh dismissed these allegations as baseless and part of a conspiracy.
In written complaints sent to the sports minister of Jharkhand, the chief minister, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association president P.T. Usha, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, and other relevant officials, Lakra alleged that the accused were being protected while those raising the issue were pressured to remain silent.
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