Two-time Paralympic Games medalist Sumit Antil, along with other top javelin throwers in India, have lodged complaints against coach Naval Singh for alleged harassment and use of abusive language. The athletes, including Antil and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, have submitted a written complaint to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) citing mental harassment and verbal abuse by Singh. The complaint, filed on April 10, was escalated to SAI and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) after discussions with officials.
Antil expressed his frustration, stating that despite attempts to resolve the issue with Singh, the situation persisted, leading to extreme measures. The athletes’ complaint to SAI reportedly contained audio recordings of Singh verbally abusing several athletes, including Neeraj, Sumit, Navdeep, and Arshad Nadeem. Antil, who took the lead in reporting the matter, disclosed that he had endured verbal abuse and humiliation, prompting him to take a stand against the coach’s behavior.
Despite multiple complaints, Antil claimed that no action has been taken against coach Naval Singh, prompting further outcry from the athletes, with Neeraj Chopra also lending his support for strict measures against the coach’s actions. Chopra emphasized the need for dignity, discipline, and respect in sports, condemning Singh’s behavior as inappropriate and disgraceful.
