Another rebellion hits hockey camp in Bangalore

B Shrikant, Hindustan Times

The Indian hockey camp for the Asian Champions Trophy in Bangalore plunged into crisis on Monday after senior players Sardar Singh and Sandeep Singh threatened to pull out of the team reportedly after an argument with chief coach Michael Nobbs. The two players, who were in the dock for allegedly participating in the Belgian league without permission from Hockey India and for deserting the camp at the SAI South Centre last month to attend a World Series Hockey (WSH) function in Mumbai, allegedly claimed that coach Nobbs was not showing them due respect and had shouted at them.

“I was on the other side of the ground when I saw Sardar and Sandeep having an argument with Nobbs over some issue. Later, they told some other players that they were leaving the camp,” a member of the squad told HT on Monday.

It is learnt that the two players were also not happy with Hockey India for ignoring two senior players – Adrian D’Souza and Prabhjot Singh -who had joined them on the trip to Mumbai for the WSH event. The fifth player, Arjun Halappa, is injured and has pulled out of the Asian Champions trophy.

As the word spread, the team management swung into action and camp coordinator SS Grewal spoke to the players to resolve the issue. However, sources said the duo refused to reconsider their decision and said they would be leaving soon.