Paralympic Star Sumit Antil Accuses Coach of Mental Harassment; Neearj Chopra Supports

Paralympic champion Sumit Antil has taken a firm stand on athlete welfare by filing a formal complaint against Dronacharya awardee coach Naval Singh, alleging mental harassment and abusive conduct within the national training setup.

Antil, a double Paralympic gold medallist (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), approached the Sports Authority of India (SAI), claiming that repeated instances of verbal abuse created a toxic and hostile training environment. According to him, the issue escalated over time, leaving him with no option but to formally report it.

"It became too much to ignore," Antil said, stressing that the alleged behaviour went beyond professional boundaries. He claimed that the coach not only targeted athletes directly but also dragged their families into abusive remarks, intensifying the mental pressure during crucial training phases.

Antil further alleged that the coach deliberately ensured that such comments reached the athletes. "He would share recordings of his rants with our managers so that they reached us," he said, describing it as a pattern that disrupted focus and preparation.

The complaint has gained weight with support from Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and fellow athletes, suggesting broader concerns within the group. For Antil, this is not just a personal grievance but a larger issue of accountability and respect in elite sport.

Despite raising the matter with senior officials, Antil expressed frustration over the lack of clear response. He questioned whether athletes' voices are being adequately heard, especially at the highest level.

As the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and SAI review the complaint, Antil's stand has brought renewed focus on the need for a safe, professional, and respectful training environment for India's top athletes.