Hockey India Secretary Allegedly Threatens Former Captain Asunta Lakra Over Misconduct Claims

Allegations Against Hockey India Secretary

Asunta Lakra, a former captain of the Indian hockey team, claimed on Saturday that Bhola Nath Singh, the secretary general of Hockey India, issued threats against her after she voiced concerns regarding inappropriate behavior by Jharkhand coach Sudhir Gola towards female players.

Details of the Alleged Threat

Lakra, who represented India in the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and participated in two Asia Cups, stated that her concerns about misconduct at Jharkhand's Eklavya Centre led to Singh's threats. She emphasized her role as a leader in advocating for young players, recounting Singh's warning to "stay within her limits."

"I raised issues for the benefit of Jharkhand's players, particularly the girls at the Eklavya Center. If I, as a leader, do not advocate for my junior players, then what is the purpose of my leadership? When I identified wrongdoing, which was later confirmed, I was threatened and told to 'stay within my limits,'" she explained. Lakra recalled the incident, stating, "I received this threat from Bhola Nath Singh on May 9th, around 7:00 or 8:00 PM, while I was with my ill father. The call came unexpectedly, and I was left shaken by his words."

Concerns Over Player Safety

Lakra questioned the rationale behind the threats she received for advocating on behalf of the players, highlighting her extensive experience representing India and serving as a national selector. She expressed her frustration, stating, "We spoke for about nine minutes, and I have that conversation recorded. Why should I face threats for supporting a player? Is this what I deserve after dedicating 14-15 years to the sport and serving as a selector for 13 years?"

Background of the Misconduct Complaint

Lakra reported that she had brought complaints from players against coach Sudhir Gola to Bhola Nath Singh, hoping for an internal resolution. Despite Gola's dismissal, she alleged that he continued to intimidate players by holding late-night meetings at the hostel, pressuring them to sign documents under the threat of legal action. "I presented the complaints made by the girls against him to Bhola Nath Singh, asking him to address the issue without publicizing it. I wanted the problems to be resolved quietly, but that did not happen," she stated.

She further revealed, "Numerous allegations have been made, and the girls are currently feeling scared and suppressed. Even after his dismissal, Gola came to the hostel at 11:00 PM, lined the girls up, and intimidated them into signing documents, threatening them with court action. Naturally, the mention of 'court' frightens children."

Players' Distress and Written Complaints

Lakra mentioned that one player approached her in distress, sharing her fears about the misconduct. She noted that the players had submitted written complaints, expressing her disappointment that she faced threats despite her contributions to Indian hockey. "One of the girls felt compelled to speak out about the wrongdoings they were experiencing. She confided in me while crying, clearly terrified and feeling oppressed. After all this, if I receive threats, it is truly unfortunate. I have earned medals for my country," she concluded.