Storm in athletics: Neeraj Chopra, Sumit Antil accuse Dronacharya Awardee coach of harassment

A major controversy has emerged in Indian athletics after Paralympic champion Sumit Antil , supported by Olympic star Neeraj Chopra and other athletes, accused Dronacharya awardee coach Naval Singh of mental harassment and verbal abuse .

In a complaint submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) , Antil alleged that the coach had repeatedly engaged in abusive and mentally disturbing behaviour . The complaint has also been endorsed by Neeraj Chopra, Navdeep Singh, and Sandeep Chaudhary , according to sources.

SAI confirmed that it has received the complaint but clarified that Naval Singh is not a SAI employee . He has been engaged by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to coach athletes at a national training camp. Officials said the matter is being reviewed in coordination with the federation.

Antil, a double Paralympic gold medallist from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, alleged that the coach crossed professional boundaries and targeted athletes with verbal abuse , even extending remarks towards their families.

“He mentally harassed us and abused our families. He seems mentally unstable,” Antil told, adding that the behaviour had continued over time. He also alleged that recordings of abusive outbursts were deliberately circulated in a way that reached athletes indirectly through support staff.

According to Antil, the complaint was submitted a week ago to senior officials including SAI DG Hari Ranjan Rao and TOPS CEO N S Johal . He claimed that an initial suggestion of compromise was made during early discussions, which the athletes rejected.

Antil also questioned the delay in official response , stating that elite athletes raising serious concerns should not be left unheard. He added that multiple athletes within the camp had supported the complaint.

Naval Singh , a Dronacharya awardee (2015), has worked with both able bodied and para athletes. He is currently coaching javelin thrower Sachin Yadav , who had finished ahead of Neeraj Chopra at last year’s World Championships, where Neeraj placed eighth due to injury.

SAI has stated that the matter is under review in consultation with the federation.

As of now, the coach has not issued an official response to the allegations.