The Jharkhand government has removed hockey coach Sudhir Golla from the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre in Ranchi following complaints of absenteeism and harassment, according to an official order issued by the Director of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs on May 11, 2026.
Details of the Allegations
According to the order, a copy of which is with the Times of India, Golla remained continuously absent from training duties and behaved inappropriately with female trainees. The order noted that several verbal complaints had been received against him in the past as well. Golla, who hails from Telangana, was absent from the training centre for over two weeks without approval from the competent authority, disrupting training activities.
Replacement and Additional Action
In place of Golla, Karuna Purti, a coach at Government Girls’ School in Bariatu, has been assigned additional charge of the Eklavya Hockey Training Centre alongside her existing duties. Following the state government's action, Hockey India also removed Golla from its ongoing Under-18 boys’ camp in Bhopal, where he was serving as an assistant coach.
Hockey India's Response
A Hockey India official stated, "The moment we learned about the harassment allegations, he was removed from the camp immediately. In Hockey India, we always take complaints of misconduct with utmost seriousness."
Broader Context of Harassment Allegations
This incident adds to recent controversies in Indian hockey. In April, a complaint accused a Hockey India official of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. In 2025, there was a case involving misconduct allegations against a junior women's team coach. During the maiden Women's Hockey India League as well, a coach was removed overnight after authorities were informed of harassment complaints involving younger players.
Golla's Previous Roles
Golla had earlier worked as a technical official at national tournaments. In January 2026, he was with the Ranchi Royals as a stand-in manager during the Women's Hockey India League. Last year, he served as head coach of the Jharkhand team for the Under-20 women's meet, Under-18 women's meet, and the Senior Women's national tournament in Panchkula, Haryana. He also served as manager of the women's team during the National Games.
Focus on Accountability
The development has once again brought focus on monitoring and accountability within grassroots and training setups. It underscores the need for robust mechanisms to address complaints and ensure a safe environment for athletes.
