Panchkula: The foreign trip of Ravi Kumar, badminton head coach at the Haryana Sports Excellence Centre in Panchkula, has come under scrutiny after players complained to the sports department that both badminton coaches were absent during crucial matches of the Senior Haryana State Badminton Tournament.
According to the players, the head coach had travelled to Nigeria with Punjab players despite being responsible for guiding Haryana’s players. They have sought an inquiry into the matter and verification of the rules governing the coach’s permission to travel abroad.
Following the complaint, Additional Sports Director Ashwini Malik ordered an inquiry. He said appropriate action would be taken after the relevant rules were examined.
The players alleged that they needed technical guidance and support during important state-level matches, but both coaches were absent. They said they work hard for their careers and that the coaches’ alleged negligence could affect their future.
Allegation of private training in Nigeria
According to the complaint, the players learned that one of the coaches had travelled to Nigeria for the Lagos International Classics 2026 tournament. They alleged that the coach was providing private training there to a student from Chandigarh.
The players have sought an inquiry into whether the coach had obtained the required permission to travel abroad if his leave had been approved.
They also alleged that both coaches were not regularly available on time on normal training days, affecting their training and performance. They said leaving players without coaching support during an official tournament was a serious matter.
Players submit photographs as evidence
The players said they had also spoken to the High Performance Manager (HPM), who indicated that the coach may have been on leave. They said they had no objection to coaches taking approved leave, but alleged that leaving players without support during a tournament and travelling abroad for private work without the required permission would violate the rules.
Photographs were also submitted with the complaint as supporting evidence.
The players further alleged that coach Ravi takes some players to an academy in Punjab and that videos featuring children from the Sports Excellence Centre had been used to promote the academy. They claimed this was against the rules.
Coach says he was unaware of complaint
Ravi Kumar said he was not aware of the complaint filed against him. He did not respond to questions regarding his foreign trip.
HPM says coach travelled on approved leave
Sports Excellence Centre High Performance Manager Kuldeep Bainiwal said the coach had travelled after taking leave. He said coaches are entitled to 30 days of leave and can travel anywhere during that period, with no restriction on them.
He also rejected the allegation that the coach takes players to a Punjab academy. According to Bainiwal, players are sent to different places themselves for match practice and the coach has no interest in the matter.
