While the Indian women’s hockey team was carving out a historic triumph on the turf against China at the Asian Games—securing a gold medal for only the second time and the first since 1982—off-field developments plunged Indian sports administration into yet another major controversy. Gurinder Singh Sangha, serving as the international umpires manager, has been abruptly sent home following serious complaints of misbehaviour and harassment.
While official governing bodies have maintained a tight-lipped stance, highly placed sources confirmed that a formal complaint was lodged against Sangha by a foreign umpire officiating at the tournament. The situation escalated further when hotel staff where the official delegation was lodged also registered a grievance, accusing Sangha of showing immoral videos and making threatening remarks. The compounding allegations forced tournament officials to take swift disciplinary action, resulting in his immediate repatriation.
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“Yes, Sangha has been sent back, he’s already gone home. There were complaints of him repeatedly harassing some foreign officials officiating here,” a senior official confirmed on condition of anonymity.
This latest incident is part of a disturbing pattern of misconduct. Sangha, a physical education instructor at a government school in Jalandhar, has previously faced scrutiny for similar behaviour. During the Hockey India League last year, a female umpire filed an official complaint with Hockey India detailing instances of inappropriate behavior and physical harassment in Ranchi.
Although Hockey India formed a three-member inquiry committee under the direction of secretary-general Bholanath Singh, critics have pointed out accountability lapses, noting that the findings were largely swept under the rug. Adding to the controversy, former player Asunta Lakra—who had previously raised complaints against Bholanath Singh—was ironically appointed as a member of that very inquiry committee.
“Yes, there was a complaint and Sangha was removed from HIL at that time. The report was submitted to Bholanath Singh. HI should not have sent him to such a prestigious assignment given the past instance,” Lakra stated. The victim of that previous incident has since left the profession entirely and relocated abroad.
The scandal has cast a heavy shadow over India’s sporting achievements at the Asian Games, triggering urgent questions regarding administrative oversight, the accountability of sports bodies, and the vetting processes used to select officials for prestigious international assignments.
