Hockey India has removed support staff member Sudhir Golla from the ongoing national under-18 coaching camp in Bhopal following serious allegations of misconduct and dereliction of duty.
The disciplinary action was taken after several trainees at the Center of Excellence in Morabadi, Ranchi, lodged formal complaints with the Jharkhand Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs. Players raised significant concerns about Goll’s inappropriate behavior and dereliction of duty during his time at the state training academy, prompting the authorities to launch a formal investigation.
After an initial assessment of the complaints, Jharkhand authorities intervened earlier this week, relieving Golla of his state duties and replacing him at the Ranchi facility.
However, the federation faced immediate scrutiny as Golla remained anchored in the national sub-junior set-up in Bhopal, where the men’s under-18 team is preparing for a high-profile international bilateral series against Australia.
Speaking to India Today, Hockey India’s general secretary Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that the governing body had taken decisive action once developments at the state level came to light.
“He was released two days ago,” Singh said, confirming Goll’s removal from the national camp with immediate effect.
The incident capped an incredibly turbulent week for the governing body and added to a growing wave of public backlash. It comes just days after the legendary former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh launched an explosive public attack to the federation, accusing them of unceremoniously removing him as head junior coach – despite five consecutive podium finishes – to make way for a foreign replacement.
Golla’s immediate expulsion over serious conduct complaints, contrasted with the chaotic contractual exit of a national icon like Sreejesh, leaves Hockey India facing a serious administrative crisis in terms of its safeguards, background checks and wider management of the domestic coaching pipeline.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
May 16, 2026 11:49 AM IST
