Naval Singh was presented with the Dronacharya Award in 2015. | Photo Credit: SANDEEP SAXENA

Naval Singh was presented with the Dronacharya Award in 2015. | Photo Credit: SANDEEP SAXENA

Two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Paralympic champions Navdeep Singh and Sandeep Choudhary have accused one of India’s top javelin coaches Naval Singh of mental harassment and repeated use of abusive language.

The four athletes submitted a written complaint via emails – which have been seen by Sportstar -- to Sports Authority of India on April 10. However, Sumit told Sportstar that there had been no progress following their complaint.

Sumit’s complaint stems from an incident in November last year. According to Sumit, Naval, the coach of Sachin Yadav – who placed fourth at the World Championships last year, sent his manager a voice note late in the evening in which he had used highly abusive language directed not just at him but several Indian javelin throwers including Neeraj Chopra.

Sumit says, Naval Singh who has previously coached him as well as Navdeep for several years, had routinely been using abusive language against him. “He (Naval) gets drunk and sends random recordings to people known to us in which he abuses us. Just because he was my ex coach I’ve been tolerating this. I thought there was no point complaining. But when you use abusive language against family members then it becomes a point of no return. It was important for me to complain so that the next generation of athletes will be able to train without fear. Otherwise what’s the point of being an athlete. We can keep winning but what’s the point if your family is being abused and there’s no respect,” Sumit told Sportstar.

Sumit said that he had initially wanted to let the matter be. He says he had called up Naval and asked for an explanation. “I told him that although we had trained together in the past we hadn’t been training together for several years so we had nothing to do with each other. But nothing came of it. In March this year I recieved another recording in which he was calling the coaches working with me and other athletes as nothing more than slaves,” says Sumit.

Sumit says he and Navdeep first decided to complain and subsequently spoke to Sandeep Choudhary who was also willing to complain. They finally spoke to Neeraj and let him know the content of the voice notes following which the Olympic and world champion also agreed to send a complaint letter.

Earlier this month, Sumit initiated the written complaint

“Over a prolonged period, I have personally experienced repeated instances of verbal abuse, humiliation, and mental harassment under his conduct. The language used has been extremely degrading, not only towards athletes but also towards our families, including deeply disrespectful remarks about our mothers and even about esteemed athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Navdeep Singh and Sandeep Chaudhary,” wrote Sumit.

“There have also been instances where the coach appeared intoxicated during training hours and created a hostile and unsafe environment. Additionally, threats related to misuse of authority, including false allegations, have caused fear among athletes,” Antil wrote. He added that he had already raised the issue through discussions with the CEO of TOPS in the presence of SDO (Sports Development officer) Para Sports.

Antil wrote in his complaint that he had been left affected by the situation. “(it) has severely affected my mental well-being, dignity and sense of safety. I feel deeply distressed that despite giving my best for the country, I am subjected to such an environment,” the email reads. Antil further noted that he was ready to submit audio evidence and fully cooperate with any investigation.

Antil’s claims have also been backed by the other athletes who also submitted written complaints. “I stand in full agreement with my fellow athletes and strongly demand strict action in this matter,” Chopra wrote in his email. “I write this as an athlete who has had the honor of representing India at both national and international levels, and who firmly believes that sport must uphold dignity, discipline, and respect. The statements made by coach Naval Singh are not just inappropriate, they are disgraceful.”

Chopra added the abusive language was something he was not willing to tolerate “Abusive language directed at me, my family, and fellow athletes cross every boundary of professionalism and basic human decency. I am shocked and disappointed to hear such derogatory comments. This kind of behavior from a person in authority is intolerable and brings disrepute to the sporting system as a whole,” he wrote.

Sandeep Chaudhary, an Arjuna awardee and world champion, also stated that he had faced similar behaviour. “… I have also experienced instances of inappropriate, abusive and unprofessional behaviour from coach Naval Singh. On multiple occasions, the conduct has included derogatory language and offensive remarks, even extending towards my family,” he wrote.

The use of abusive language was reiterated by Navdeep, the reigning Paralympic champion. “I have also faced instances of abusive, derogatory and highly inappropriate behaviour from coach Naval Singh, including offensive remarks directed towards my family. I fully support the concerns raised, as this reflects a consistent pattern of misconduct that has negatively impacted the dignity, mental well-being and overall environment for athletes,” he wrote.

Sandeep, an Arjuna awardee and world champion, also supported the complaint, stating that he had too been subject to abusive language. “I would like to formally bring to your notice that I have also experienced instances of inappropriate, abusive and unprofessional behaviour from coach Naval Singh. On multiple occasions, the conduct has included derogatory language and offensive remarks, even extending towards my family, which is deeply unacceptable,” he wrote.

Matter in limbo

The athletes wrote that they expected action to be taken against the coach. “I urge the Sports Authority of India to take immediate and decisive action. There must be clear consequences for such conduct, along with strict accountability, to ensure that no athlete has to endure this kind of behavior again. Our athletes deserve professionalism, respect, and a system that protects them, not one that tolerates misconduct. I expect this issue to be addressed with the seriousness it demands,” Chopra wrote in his letter.

Antil added as evidence in his complaint a recording of the voice note Naval had sent to his manager.

“There has been no satisfactory response from SAI despite multiple follow ups. There’s no action taken even when Neeraj and I have complained. What would junior athletes have to go through?. But SAI is neither answering nor responding or taking action. They are either waiting for us to calm down or they are just waiting for us to calm down and leave, “ Sumit said.

According to Sumit, Nash Johal, the CEO of TOPS (Target Olympic Podium scheme – the governments program to support elite athletes) tried to broker a compromise between him and Naval. “I showed the recording and he (Naval Singh) admitted that he had sent this recording to my manager. Despite this they are not taking any action. When I spoke to the TOPS CEO, he asked me what he could do about the matter. He said that if I wanted to go about the legal route, it would only be trouble for me. But I am ready to get into trouble now,” Sumit says.

Sumit said that he wanted coach Naval removed from his role as a coach at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where he is currently training Sachin Yadav, considered one of the biggest prospects in the javelin throw in India.

A official in SAI admitted that Sumit had made a complaint about the coach. “A complaint has been received from Sumit Antil, Paralympic Gold Medalist, alleging verbal abuse by a coach Naval Singh. The complaint has also been supported by other athletes, including Neeraj Chopra,” the official who did not wish to be named said.

However the official added that they could not do anything about the matter and that it would be taken up with the Athletics Federation of India. “The coach in question is not an SAI employee and is training another leading athlete as part of National Coaching Camp organised by AFI. The complaint has been received against the coach and the matter is being duly taken up with the federation,” he official said.

However the Athletics Federation of India too is washing its hands off the situation. “There is no written complaint (made about the matter) to AFI. It seems that some unparliamentary language was used by Naval, though not directly to Neeraj. Naval has apologised to Neeraj. That is where the matter is at the moment,” a senior official with the AFI told Sportstar.

Published on Apr 17, 2026