Sports News | Sports Ministry Orders IOA Probe into Asunta Lakra's Allegations, Seeks Reply from Hockey India: Sources

New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): The Sports Ministry has directed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to constitute a neutral, fair, and transparent committee to investigate the allegations made by former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra.

The ministry has also sought an explanation from Hockey India regarding the matter, signalling a closer examination of the federation's handling of the allegations, Sports Ministry sources told ANI.

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Lakra alleged on Saturday that Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh threatened her after she raised concerns over alleged misconduct by Jharkhand coach Sudhir Gola towards female players in the team.

Lakra, who was part of the Indian team during the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Asia Cup twice, alleged that she was threatened by the Hockey India secretary general after raising concerns over alleged misbehaviour at Jharkhand's Eklavya Centre. She said she spoke up as a hockey leader to protect young players and claimed Singh told her to "stay within her limits."

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"I had raised some issues in the interest of the players of Jharkhand, specifically for the girls of the Eklavya Centre. If I, as a leader, do not step forward for my junior players, the upcoming players, then what is the point of being a leader? So, when I saw some wrongdoings, and they were proven as well, if I am being threatened after those things were proven, told to "stay within your limits" and to "talk while staying within your limits," she told ANI.

Lakra alleged that she received a threatening phone call from Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh on May 9 while she was with her ailing father. She said the unexpected nature of the call left her unable to record it and claimed the conversation was so intimidating that it left her shaken.

"I received this threat from Bhola Nath Singh, who is the General Secretary of Hockey India, on May 9th, around 7:00 or 8:00 PM. At that time, I was sitting with my father, who was ill. Suddenly, the call came. I didn't even have a chance to record anything. I never even imagined that something like this would be said to me. The way he spoke, I trembled for a while," Lakra added.

Lakra questioned why she was allegedly threatened for speaking up on behalf of players, highlighting her years of representing India and work as a national selector. She said she was being targeted despite raising concerns about wrongdoing.

"We spoke for about nine minutes. I have that record as well. So, why such threats? If I raise my voice for a player, will I get threats in return? Do I deserve this? I have won medals for the country. I have played for the country for 14-15 years. I have worked continuously as a selector for 13 years for the country. Just because I am telling the truth about a mistake, I am receiving threats," she said.

Lakra said she raised complaints from players against Jharkhand Eklavya Centre coach Sudhir Gola with Bhola Nath Singh, hoping the matter would be resolved internally. She alleged that despite his dismissal, Gola later intimidated players by holding a late-night meeting at the hostel and pressuring them to sign documents by threatening legal action.

"Sudhir Gola, who has been our coach at the Jharkhand Eklavya Centre. So, I saw the complaints made by the girls against him. Because of that, I raised this issue. And first of all, I placed it before Bhola Nath Sir, saying, "Sir, this is the matter." I told him verbally, "Sir, please look into it. I don't want to highlight it." My point was that whatever mistakes are happening should be corrected. Why hadn't I given it to the papers until now? I wanted it to be solved somehow. But it didn't happen," she said. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)