Paralympic Committee of India Dismisses Coach Amid Abuse Allegations

Termination of Coach Naval Singh

In response to serious allegations from two-time Paralympic gold medalist Sumit Antil and Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has decided to terminate coach Naval Singh's services. Antil and other prominent Indian javelin throwers had previously submitted a letter to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), accusing the award-winning coach of verbal abuse and mental harassment.

PCI president Devendra Jhajharia confirmed the decision in a letter, stating that the committee convened an emergency meeting upon receiving the complaints. "Given the gravity of the allegations and initial evidence of misconduct, we reviewed both oral and written testimonies. The committee unanimously concluded that the coach's behavior fell short of the expected standards, leading to his immediate dismissal from all PCI activities," Jhajharia noted.

Antil detailed that Singh had sent abusive messages while intoxicated, targeting both athletes and their families. He mentioned that this issue had been previously addressed with the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS), but a compromise was reached at that time. "He often sends drunken recordings filled with abuse, especially as competitions approach. I had approached SAI Deputy Director Arunlal and TOPS CEO Nash Johal, but this time I refused to let it slide. I may be the first to speak out, but many others have suffered in silence," Antil explained in an interview.

Neeraj Chopra echoed similar sentiments in an email to SAI, urging for prompt action. "I fully support my fellow athletes and demand strict measures in this case. As someone who has represented India on various platforms, I believe that sports should embody dignity and respect. Coach Naval Singh's remarks are not only inappropriate but disgraceful," he stated. Neeraj emphasized that the abusive language directed at him and others crosses all professional boundaries and undermines the integrity of the sports system. He called for immediate accountability and consequences to ensure that no athlete faces such treatment again, advocating for a professional and respectful environment for all athletes.