Hockey India removes U-18 camp support staff member following harassment allegations

Hockey India has removed support staff member and coach Sudhir Golla from the ongoing U-18 boys’ national camp in Bhopal after allegations of misconduct surfaced against him.

The action came shortly after the Jharkhand government removed Golla from his role at the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre in Ranchi. According to an order issued by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs on May 11, Golla was accused of remaining absent from training duties without approval and behaving inappropriately with female trainees.

The order stated that complaints regarding his conduct had been received earlier as well. It also noted that his prolonged absence from the training centre for more than two weeks had affected regular training activities.

Following the development, Hockey India confirmed through a statement that Golla was immediately relieved from duties at the national camp, where he had been serving as an assistant coach.

The incident is the latest in a series of controversies involving Indian hockey in recent months. Earlier this year, allegations of sexual harassment and misuse of authority were levelled against a Hockey India official. In 2025, a junior women’s team coach also faced misconduct accusations.

Golla has previously worked in multiple roles within Indian hockey, including as a technical official at national events and as a stand-in manager for Ranchi Royals during the Women’s Hockey India League earlier this year. He also coached Jharkhand teams across several women’s national competitions last season.