Hockey India President Calls for Urgent Meeting Amid Rising Sexual Harassment Allegations

Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, has raised concerns over a surge in sexual harassment allegations involving support staff and officials. He has called for an Executive Board meeting to address these issues, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the POSH Act and a zero-tolerance policy. Recent incidents, including the dismissal of a coach over misconduct allegations, have highlighted the organization's struggles with accountability. Tirkey's letter to board members stresses the importance of protecting complainants and ensuring a safe environment for all involved in the sport. This call to action aims to restore the integrity of Hockey India amidst growing scrutiny.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2026, 02:02 IST

Addressing Sexual Harassment in Hockey India

Dilip Tirkey, the President of Hockey India and a former captain of the Indian national team, has expressed alarm over the increasing incidents of sexual harassment involving support staff and officials. He has urged for an Executive Board meeting to address these pressing concerns.

Tirkey has instructed Director General Cdr RK Srivastava to organize this meeting to evaluate all reported incidents, enhance compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, ensure the protection of complainants, and reinforce a policy of accountability and zero tolerance.

Recently, Hockey India dismissed Sudhir Golla from the U-18 men's coaching staff due to allegations of sexual misconduct and negligence. This incident marks the fourth case in just six months where the organization has been criticized for its delayed response. In November of the previous year, a junior women's hockey coach had his contract terminated following similar allegations just before the 2025 FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile.

In December 2025, Harendra Singh, the coach of the senior women's hockey team, resigned amid allegations of misconduct after senior players submitted a signed letter to the ministry. Earlier this April, another staff member faced accusations of sexual harassment directed at female officials and coaches.

In a letter to all Executive Board members, Tirkey highlighted that these incidents are damaging the reputation of Hockey India and its sponsors.

He stated, "In the past six months, our sport has been plagued by a series of troubling media reports. Most alarming are at least five publicly reported cases of sexual harassment, misconduct, ethical breaches, and failures in discipline. These events are severely impacting the image of Hockey India, Indian Hockey, our sponsors, and Hockey India League franchises."

Tirkey emphasized the necessity for every case of sexual harassment to be handled with strict adherence to the POSH Act of 2013. As the governing body of India's premier Olympic sport, Hockey India must maintain the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and athlete welfare.

Ensuring Safety for Complainants

In his address to the members, Tirkey also acknowledged the challenges faced by complainants who hesitate to report incidents due to fear of retaliation.

"We must implement a strict zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment, abuse of power, intimidation, ethical misconduct, or any efforts to silence complaints. Appropriate disciplinary measures, including lifetime bans when necessary, should be enforced following due process," he stated.

He noted, "Several female umpires have privately shared their concerns regarding some of the reported issues. However, many are hesitant to come forward formally due to fears of retaliation, victimization, or loss of privacy. This situation highlights a significant institutional problem. Hockey India must guarantee that every athlete, coach, and official feels secure in reporting misconduct without fear of repercussions."