Hockey India removes U-18 team coach over misconduct allegations
Hockey India has expelled sub-junior support staff member Sudhir Golla from the national under-18 camp following serious allegations of sexual misconduct and negligence during his training stint in Ranchi.
Hockey India has removed support staff member Sudhir Golla from the ongoing under-18 national coaching camp in Bhopal following serious allegations of misconduct and negligence of duty.
The disciplinary action was taken after several trainees at the Centre of Excellence in Morabadi, Ranchi, lodged formal complaints with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in Jharkhand. The players raised significant concerns regarding Golla’s inappropriate behaviour and dereliction of duty during his stint at the state-run training academy, prompting authorities to initiate a formal inquiry.
Following an initial assessment of the complaints, Jharkhand authorities intervened earlier this week, relieving Golla of his state responsibilities and replacing him at the Ranchi facility.
However, the federation faced immediate scrutiny as Golla remained embedded within the national sub-junior setup in Bhopal, where the under-18 men's squad is preparing for a high-profile international bilateral series against Australia.
Speaking to India Today, Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that the governing body took decisive action as soon as the state-level developments came to light.
"He was laid off two days back," Singh stated, confirming that Golla's removal from the national camp was executed with immediate effect.
The incident caps an incredibly turbulent week for the governing body, adding to a mounting wave of public backlash. It comes just days after legendary former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh launched an explosive public attack on the federation, accusing them of unceremoniously removing him as the junior men's head coach—despite five consecutive podium finishes—to make way for a foreign replacement.
Golla’s immediate expulsion over severe behavioral complaints, contrasted against the messy contractual exit of a national icon like Sreejesh, leaves Hockey India facing a severe administrative crisis regarding its safeguarding mechanisms, background-vetting, and the broader governance of its domestic coaching pipeline.