Former Indian hockey captain Asunta Lakra alleged on Saturday that Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh threatened her after she raised concerns over alleged misconduct by Jharkhand coach Sudhir Gola towards female players in the team.

Lakra, who was part of the Indian team during the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and Asia Cup twice, alleged that she was threatened by the Hockey India secretary general after raising concerns over alleged misbehaviour at Jharkhand’s Eklavya Centre. She said she spoke up as a hockey leader to protect young players and claimed Singh told her to “stay within her limits”.

“I had raised some issues in the interest of the players of Jharkhand, specifically for the girls of the Eklavya Centre. If I, as a leader, do not step forward for my junior players, the upcoming players, then what is the point of being a leader? I saw some wrongdoings, and they were proven as well. I am being threatened after those things were proven, told to “stay within your limits” and to “talk while staying within your limits,” she said.

Recalling the harrowing experience, she said, “I received this threat from Bhola Nath Singh, who is the General Secretary of Hockey India, on May 9 at around 7 or 8 pm. At that time, I was sitting with my father, who is ill. Suddenly, the call came. I didn’t even have a chance to record anything. I never even imagined that something like this would be said to me. The way he spoke, I trembled for a while.”

Lakra questioned why she was allegedly threatened for speaking up on behalf of players, highlighting her years of representing India and work as a national selector. She said she was being targeted despite raising concerns about wrongdoing.

“We spoke for about nine minutes. I have that record as well. So, why such threats? If I raise my voice for a player, will I get threats in return? Do I deserve this? I have won medals for the country. I have played for the country for 14-15 years. I have worked continuously as a selector for 13 years for the country. Just because I am telling the truth about a mistake, I am receiving threats,” she said.

Lakra said she raised complaints from players against Jharkhand Eklavya Centre coach Sudhir Gola with Bhola Nath Singh, hoping the matter would be resolved internally. She alleged that despite his dismissal, Gola later intimidated players by holding a late-night meeting at the hostel and pressuring them to sign documents by threatening legal action.

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