Neeraj Chopra, Sumit Antil accuse Dronacharya awardee coach of mental harassment

PTC News Desk: Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil has levelled serious allegations agains his Dronacharya awardee coach Naval Singh, accusing him of mental harassment and verbal abuse. The complaint was submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI). 

Antil, supported by Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, alleges that Singh's conduct has been detrimental to athletes.

Antil has also alleged that Naval is “probably mentally unstable” and is trying to disturb the peace of athletes like him and Neeraj. “He (Naval Singh) mentally harassed us and abused our, as in mine and Neeraj's, families. He seems mentally unstable. He would deliberately share recordings of his abusive rants with our (team) managers, so that they reach us,” Antil said. 

"And, I am unable to understand why this coach is doing what he is doing. Maybe he wants Sachin Yadav to beat Neeraj bhai because Sachin trains with him," he alleged.

Meanwhile SAI also acknowledged that it has received complaints against Singh and that the matter is being taken up with the concerned authorities. However, the body clarified that Naval Singh is not its employee and is currently engaged by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) as part of the National Coaching Camp.

"A complaint has been received from Sumit Antil, Paralympic Gold Medalist, alleging verbal abuse by Coach Mr. Naval Singh. The complaint has also been supported by other athletes, including Neeraj Chopra," a SAI source said.

Naval Singh was conferred the Dronacharya Award in 2015 and currently he is coaching Sachin Yadav, who finished fourth last year at the World Championships ahead of Neeraj Chopra who placed eighth while managing an injury. 

He has not commented on the allegations so far.