KOLKATA: Hockey coach Sudhir Golla on Sunday rejected allegations levelled against him by former India women’s captain and current selector Asunta Lakra, calling them “baseless” and demanding a fair inquiry into the matter.Lakra had told TOI last week and subsequently written to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and TOPS officials, alleging that Golla — who was removed from Eklavya Hockey Centre in Ranchi by Jharkhand govt and later from the India U-18 men’s coaching set-up by Hockey India — entered the academy hostel, assembled young women players and intimidated them into withdrawing their complaints.Rejecting the allegations, Golla said during a press conference on Sunday, “The allegations being made against me are completely baseless and unauthenticated. She has alleged that I entered the hostel at 11 pm and threatened the girls. These allegations are false.”Contacted by TOI after Golla’s response, Lakra stood by the allegations she had made earlier.Golla, however, claimed he neither threatened the players nor coerced them into signing any document. He also questioned the basis of the complaints that led to his removal.“If complaints had really existed for two years, why was I never issued a show-cause notice?” he asked.Golla said he had replied to the govt’s communication on the very same day and welcomed an inquiry. “I also met the sports director personally, and I was assured that the matter would be investigated. I have already requested the department to conduct a thorough inquiry. I have done nothing wrong,” he said.Golla further alleged that he had been receiving threats since joining Jharkhand Sports Department in 2024 because he was an “outsider”. He claimed he had reported the matter to the department and questioned why he had not been given an opportunity to present his side.“Sexual harassment is an extremely serious allegation. Such accusations should not be made without evidence. Both sides should be heard before conclusions are drawn. I am only asking for justice,” he said.
