SAI Bhopal directs two judo coaches to attend counselling sessions

The Sports Authority of India’s central regional centre in Bhopal has directed two judo coaches at its National Centre of Excellence to attend counselling sessions with the centre’s sports psychologist over concerns related to their professional conduct and workplace discipline.

Senior coach Ruchi Audichya and assistant coach Gitanjali Pawar have been asked to attend the sessions “till further order”, according to an official communication issued by the Assistant Director of SAI NCOE, Bhopal.

The communication said the coaches’ “conduct, attitude, coordination, team spirit and interaction” with other coaches and athletes had not been found to be in accordance with the expected standards of professional conduct, workplace decorum and institutional protocol.

It further stated that such conduct was adversely affecting the discipline and performance of the athletes.

The Assistant Director said the coaches had been advised on multiple occasions during various meetings to adopt a cooperative approach and work in a spirit of teamwork but “despite repeated instructions, no improvement in this regard has been observed”.

The centre’s sports psychologist has also been directed to schedule counselling sessions with the concerned coaches and maintain proper records of their attendance and the sessions conducted.

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