Former Hockey India (HI) president Dr Narinder Batra has called for an independent external enquiry into the allegations of inappropriate behaviour levelled by India’s women’s hockey players against the team’s chief coach Harendra Singh, who resigned from his post on Monday, citing persona reasons.
“The disclosures relating to the Indian women’s hockey team are extremely alarming. The manner in which these sensitive and serious matters appear to have been addressed raises profound concerns about the functioning, credibility, and accountability of Hockey India’s leadership. The contradictory narratives emerging from HI and sections of the media have created a genuine apprehension that the complete truth may not have been placed before the Nation. In matters of safeguarding women athletes, there can be no selective disclosure. An independent, external enquiry is essential,” Batra, who helmed HI between 2014-2016, wrote on social media.
On Monday, it was learnt that players had complained to HI chief Dilip Tirkey and secretary general Bholanath Singh about Harendra’s high-handedness and improper behaviour, alleging mental harassment.
