India pole-vaulter alleges assault by coach at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium

An international-level pole vaulter Anuj, a trainee of the nationwide pole vault academy working from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium right here, was injured after a scuffle with Devinder Kumar, an help coach of the power, late Tuesday night.

The incident occurred after 10pm throughout the premises of the JLN Stadium. While the injured athlete was instantly rushed to Safdarjung Hospital after he suffered a deep lower above his proper eyebrow, the coach left for dwelling.

The 25-year-old Anuj acquired seven stitches and was later discharged from the hospital at midnight. He filed a criticism on the native Lodhi Road Police Station on Wednesday.

Anuj was on November 19 shifted to the JLN Stadium-based academy from Sports Authority of India (SAI) coaching centre in Sonepat, Haryana. He was present process quarantine on the academy and was to begin performing from this week.

Devender, the coach, arrived on the stadium on Tuesday night to pay Rs 25,000 that he had borrowed some months again from Anuj.

“After giving the money, he (coach) asked me to give in writing that I’ll only train under him (Devender) and not the other coach of the academy (PC Tyagi). When I refused, he starting beating me,” alleged Anuj.

The coach was defensive in his response. “I was having a friendly chat with him inside my car and without provocation he hit me,” stated the coach, who’s on deputation from the Railways. He was reluctant to reply what was the urgency to return late within the night.

The incident highlights the safety concern of the athletes staying on the JLN Stadium. The stadium’s administrator Sunita Baral says she wasn’t conscious of the incident. “Will probe and let you know,” was her response.