Asian Games hockey official Gurinder Sangha leaves Japan amid sexual misconduct complaints | Asian Games 2026 News
Kolkata: Gurinder Singh Sangha, a Jalandhar-based international hockey umpire and technical official who was appointed by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) as umpire manager for the hockey competition at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, has left Japan before the tournament concluded following multiple complaints of alleged sexual misconduct against him.Sources alleged that Sangha misbehaved with a female hockey official from Malaysia.Asian Games Full Coverage | Schedule | Medal Tally“A Malaysian official has complained that he tried to hug and kiss her in the name of mentoring, and he has had to leave the Asian Games in Nagoya midway, Hockey India leadership is having conversations about starting an investigation,” said a Hockey India official.The HI official said the latest allegations had once again raised questions about Sangha’s conduct and the handling of earlier complaints against him.Meanwhile, Asima Ali, Hockey India vice-president and executive member, welcomed the development.“There can be no tolerance for any form of sexual misconduct in sport. The message has to be clear that complaints will be taken seriously and acted upon promptly. We must be stern in our dealing with such offenders and ensure that the sport remains a safe environment for everyone,” said Ali.Multiple sources also alleged that Sangha, who has previously officiated at major events, including the Asian Games, Olympic qualifiers and the Asia Cup, behaved inappropriately with a member of the hotel staff and showed her obscene videos in his room.The latest complaint is not the first allegation levelled against Sangha. During the Hockey India League in Ranchi in January 2025, a female umpire filed a formal complaint against him while he was serving as Umpires’ Manager. Hockey India subsequently confirmed receipt of the complaint and constituted a three-member committee to conduct a preliminary investigation into the matter.According to the complaint, the umpire alleged that Sangha’s conduct during an interaction at the team hotel in Ranchi on January 20, 2025, was “unwanted and inappropriate” and left her uncomfortable.In a communication dated Jan 21, 2025, Bhola Nath Singh, secretary general of Hockey India, informed stakeholders that a three-member panel had been constituted in consultation with the federation’s Internal Complaint Committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment to carry out a preliminary investigation and submit its report within two days.The latest episode comes amid increased scrutiny of misconduct complaints within Indian hockey. Earlier this year, Hockey India removed a support staff member from a national camp after harassment allegations surfaced against him, stating that action had been taken immediately after the matter came to its notice.The federation has also grappled with other complaints in recent times, including an April 2026 complaint alleging sexual harassment and abuse of authority by a Hockey India official, and a 2025 case involving misconduct allegations against a junior women’s team coach.During the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League, a coach was also removed overnight after authorities were informed of harassment complaints involving younger players.
