On the field, the Indian women’s hockey team stepped out to make history against China by winning the Asian Games title for only the second time, and the first since 1982. Off the field, another international embarrassment rocked Indian hockey as Indian umpires’ manager Gurinder Singh Sangha was sent home following complaints of misbehaviour and harassment.
While officials have remained tight-lipped and refused to comment on the matter, sources confirmed that one of the umpires officiating at the competition here had lodged a complaint against Sangha. There was also a complaint against him from hotel staff at the accommodation where the officials have been put up. Sangha was allegedly accused of showing them immoral videos and threatening them with a police complaint, prompting the tournament officials to take action.
“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 conditions of anonymity.
This is not the first time Sangha, a physical education instructor at a government school in Jalandhar, has been involved in such behaviour. Last year, during the Hockey India League, one of the women umpires had officially complained to Hockey India about Sangha’s behaviour, including alleged physical harassment, in Ranchi.
Hockey India also formed a three-member committee at the direction of secretary general Bholanath Singh, but the matter was swept under the carpet. Asunta Lakra, one of the complainants against Bholanath, was one of the members of the 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,” Asunta agreed.
The woman umpire has since quit the profession and moved abroad.
Published on Oct 02, 2026
