The Coach

Madhu Kant Pathak an ex SBI Employee worked for Sports Development among the Bankers not only State Bank of India but he also promoted Sports amongst all Banks and insurance organisations of Ranchi for a decade. Pathak represented SBI in Cricket, Hockey, Basketball, Volleyball for All India Inter Circle Tournaments for over 20 years. He also represented SBI in all India Public Sector Volleyball Tournament.

Pathak was also an eminent athlete of State Bank of India since 1983 and was winner in 800 M 1500 M and he was Champion in those two events for over 14 Years. His best performance in 1500 M was 4:16.21 in 1986 In SBI Athletics Meet.

Pathak was not only the Player of SBI Patna Circle in Hockey but he was the Coach also and under his Coaching Patna Circle reached in Semi Finals for the first time which was held in Bhopal.

As the Secretary General of the Jharkhand Olympic Association, Pathak has been instrumental in organizing and promoting sports activities across the state. His leadership has focused on providing opportunities for young athletes, particularly those from rural and tribal areas, to compete at state and national levels. In 2022, during a felicitation event at Amity University Jharkhand, Pathak expressed his willingness to train students not only in Jharkhand but across all Amity campuses nationwide, showcasing his commitment to expanding sports education.
(https://lagatar24.com/amity-university-felicitates-jharkhands-commonwealth-games-medalist-lawn-bowlers/116859/).

Pathak’s tenure with the JOA has emphasized collaboration with educational institutions and sports bodies to create sustainable training programs. His vision includes developing sports facilities, such as lawn bowls greens, to ensure athletes have access to world-class infrastructure.

Madhukant’s journey into professional umpiring began in the late 1985s. Recognizing the importance of officiating in cricket, he undertook rigorous training and certification courses of BCA. His meticulous approach, combined with an innate understanding of the game, quickly made him a respected figure in domestic cricket circuits.

Over the years, Madhukant Pathak officiated in numerous domestic matches, earning accolades for his impartial judgment and calm demeanor under pressure. His reputation grew, leading to opportunities to umpire in higher-profile tournaments, including Indian Premier League association with One Day and IPL Umpires and Match referees over the years.

Madhukant’s umpiring philosophy centered on fairness, consistency, and continuous learning. He believed that umpires are the backbone of cricket, ensuring that the game remains true to its spirit. His emphasis on strict adherence to the rules set a benchmark for aspiring umpires in India.
He also played a pivotal role in mentoring young umpires, sharing his knowledge and experience to uplift standards across the country. His efforts contributed to the professionalization of umpiring in Bihar and Jharkhand, encouraging more young talents to pursue officiating as a serious career.

As the president of the Jharkhand Athletics Association, Pathak has overseen the participation of Jharkhand athletes in major national events. In 2022, he announced that 171 athletes from Jharkhand would compete across 15 events at the 36th National Games in Gujarat, including six boxers and archer Hiramani Sinku, who secured the first position in selection trials. Pathak’s strategic planning and coordination ensured that Jharkhand’s contingent was well-prepared, with 48 officials, including coaches and managers, supporting the athletes.
(https://lagatar24.com/36th-national-games-171-jharkhand-athletes-to-take-part-across-15-events/116911/).

His leadership extends to ensuring fair selection processes and providing athletes with the resources needed to excel. Pathak’s efforts have helped put Jharkhand on the map as a hub for emerging athletic talent.

In 2025, Pathak took on a significant national role as the head of the ad-hoc committee formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to oversee the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). This committee was established following delays in BFI elections and administrative challenges. Under Pathak’s leadership, the committee decided to conduct BFI elections by the end of April 2025 and validate state units before appointing a returning officer https://sportstar.thehindu.com/boxing/boxing-ad-hoc-committee-by-ioa-to-hold-bfi-federation-election-by-end-of-april/article69263546.ece.
Pathak’s committee also prioritized athlete welfare, ensuring that trials for international events would be conducted fairly to prevent disruptions caused by administrative issues. The decision to involve former elite boxers as selectors reflects Pathak’s focus on merit-based systems and leveraging expertise to support athletes. His role in navigating the complex dynamics between the IOA and BFI underscores his reputation as a trusted and capable administrator.

Pathak’s influence extends beyond Jharkhand and boxing. In 2024, he served as an observer for the Indian Olympic Association during the Rajasthan State Olympic Association elections, which were conducted unopposed under his supervision. His involvement ensured a transparent and smooth electoral process, reinforcing his credibility in sports governance. https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/jaipur/news/elections-of-rajasthan-state-olympic-association-concluded-unopposed-133320701.html.

One of Pathak’s most notable achievements is his role as a coach for India’s lawn bowls team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK. Under his guidance, the Indian team achieved historic success, with the women’s fours team—comprising Lovely Choubey, Rupa Rani Tirkey, Nayanmoni Saikia, and Pinki—winning a gold medal. The men’s team, including Sunil Bahadur and Dinesh Kumar, Chandan Kumar Singh secured a silver medal.
https://lagatar24.com/amity-university-felicitates-jharkhands-commonwealth-games-medalist-lawn-bowlers/116859/.

Pathak’s coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, technique, and mental resilience, which were critical to the team’s performance on the global stage. His ability to transform lawn bowls, a relatively niche sport in India, into a medal-winning discipline highlights his skill as a coach and strategist.

During the felicitation ceremony at Amity University Jharkhand, Pathak was lauded for his efforts in elevating the state’s reputation globally. The university announced plans to include a lawn bowls green in its permanent campus, a testament to Pathak’s influence in promoting the sport.

Pathak’s coaching extends beyond elite athletes. He has consistently advocated for grassroots development, particularly in rural areas where access to sports facilities is limited. His work with the JOA and other organizations focuses on identifying talent in remote regions and providing training opportunities. Pathak’s commitment to inclusivity aligns with broader efforts to engage tribal communities in sports, as highlighted in initiatives like those of the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, which organizes competitions for tribal youth.
(https://kalyanashram.org/sports/).

Pathak has been a vocal advocate for improving sports infrastructure, recognizing that world-class facilities are essential for athlete development. His involvement in discussions about infrastructure upgrades, such as the proposed lawn bowls green at Amity University, reflects his forward-thinking approach. https://lagatar24.com/amity-university-felicitates-jharkhands-commonwealth-games-medalist-lawn-bowlers/116859/.
Additionally, Pathak’s leadership in the BFI ad-hoc committee includes plans to enhance boxing facilities and ensure that athletes have access to modern training environments. His emphasis on collaboration with international and national medallists to improve sports infrastructure, as seen in the Ghaziabad Sports Welfare Committee’s initiatives, demonstrates his commitment to long-term development. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/stadium-in-ghaziabad-set-for-facelift-tennis-courts-and-race-tracks-now-pool-next/articleshow/120320789.cms

While Pathak’s contributions are widely recognized, he has faced challenges in navigating the complex landscape of sports administration. The BFI’s administrative turmoil, including the IOA’s decision to form an ad-hoc committee, placed Pathak in a contentious position. The legal proceedings initiated by the Ajay Singh-led BFI against the IOA’s takeover highlight the governance issues Pathak had to address. Despite these challenges, Pathak’s focus on athlete welfare and transparent processes has helped maintain his reputation as a fair and effective leader. (https://sportstar.thehindu.com/boxing/boxing-ad-hoc-committee-by-ioa-to-hold-bfi-federation-election-by-end-of-april/article69263546.ece).

While cricket umpiring was his primary vocation, Madhukant’s curiosity and love for sports led him to explore other disciplines. He discovered lawn bowls—a sport that originated in the United Kingdom and is gaining popularity in India, especially among urban clubs and senior citizens. Lawn bowls is a precision sport where players roll biased balls to get closest to a smaller target ball, known as the jack. Despite being relatively new in India, the sport has a dedicated following, and Madhukant saw an opportunity to promote it as a healthy, inclusive, and skill-based activity.

Madhu Kant Pathak’s legacy in Indian sports is defined by his multifaceted contributions as an administrator, coach, and mentor. His ability to bridge grassroots development with national-level governance has made him a unique figure in the sports community. From leading Jharkhand’s athletes to national prominence to Athletics Federation of India and steering the BFI through a challenging period, Pathak has consistently prioritized athlete welfare and systemic improvement.
Looking ahead, Pathak’s vision includes expanding access to sports for young athletes, particularly in underrepresented regions. His commitment to training students across Amity campuses and his role in shaping the future of boxing in India suggest that his influence will continue to grow. As India aims to become a global sports powerhouse, leaders like Pathak will play a critical role in realizing that vision.

Madhukant’s Triple roles in cricket, lawn bowls and Athletics exemplify his commitment to sports diplomacy—using sports as a bridge to foster unity, health, and cultural exchange. His initiatives often target underprivileged communities, encouraging youth participation and promoting healthy lifestyles.
He has also been instrumental in organizing inclusive tournaments that bring together players from different backgrounds, promoting gender equality and social cohesion through sports.

Madhukant’s Triple roles in cricket, lawn bowls and Athletics exemplify his commitment to sports diplomacy—using sports as a bridge to foster unity, health, and cultural exchange. His initiatives often target underprivileged communities, encouraging youth participation and promoting healthy lifestyles.
He has also been instrumental in organizing inclusive tournaments that bring together players from different backgrounds, promoting gender equality and social cohesion through sports.

While couple of players tried to influence Pathak through political stalwarts of Jharkhand, for their selection in the Team but he never bowed down to them and selected the players who brought laurels for the State and this years National Games at Uttarakhand Jharkhand Lawn Bowl Players won medals in 9 out of 10 Medal events. They won 5 Gold medals two silver medals and 2 Bronze Medals and brought Jharkhand from 31st Position to 17th Position. This could happen only because of Proper Coaching by Pathak and fair Team Selection.
Madhu Kant Pathak’s journey in sports is a testament to the power of dedication, leadership, and a passion for nurturing talent. Whether coaching Commonwealth Games medallists, guiding Jharkhand’s athletes to national success, or reforming boxing administration, Pathak has left an indelible mark on Indian sports. His work serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and administrators alike, proving that with vision and perseverance, transformative change is possible.

Throughout his career, Madhukant Pathak has received numerous accolades for his contributions. His pioneering work in cricket umpiring earned him recognition from the Indian Olympic Association, AFI, BCA and JSCA. Meanwhile, his efforts in lawn bowls have garnered awards from international sports Federations, Sports Authority of India, Jharkhand Government and local sports authorities.
He is also frequently invited as a guest speaker at sports conferences, sharing insights on umpiring standards, sports management, and the promotion of emerging sports in India.

In lawn bowls, he aspires to develop a comprehensive sports etiquette, promote grassroots participation, and secure India’s position in international competitions. His vision includes making lawn bowls a sport accessible to all, emphasizing health, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.
Madhukant Pathak’s journey from a passionate cricket enthusiast to a respected umpire and innovative lawn bowls coach embodies the spirit of dedication and versatility. His multifaceted contributions have helped shape the sports landscape in India, inspiring countless aspiring sports officials and players.
Through his unwavering commitment, Madhukant exemplifies how sports can transcend boundaries—bringing communities together, fostering discipline, and nurturing talent. As India continues to grow as a sports nation, pioneers like Madhukant Pathak will remain instrumental in paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive sporting future.