Hockey India vows to punish Sardar, Sandeep

B Shrikant, Hindustan Times

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and midfielder Sardar Singh have given four reasons to the coaches for abruptly withdrawing from the Asian Champions Trophy camp at Bangalore, but disciplinary action is inevitable following a report submitted by members of the team management. After gathering information from the coaches, Hockey India (HI) swung into action on Wednesday and announced that strict action would be taken against the players. The fate of the duo, which withdrew from the camp on Tuesday allegedly after falling out with the coaching staff and senior players, will be decided on August 27.

The players have informed the media that they have left the camp because of “personal reasons and urgent family matters”.

However, it now transpires that they gave different reasons to the officials as they prepared to desert the camp on Monday night.

“They have given four different reasons to the four coaches (chief coach Michael Nobbs, Jugraj Singh, Baljit Singh Saini and SS Grewal). Two of them (coaches) have submitted their reports, while the other two have also been asked to submit their reports,” HI secretary-general Narinder Batra said.

Sardar and Sandeep told one of the coaches that they were leaving because they were not happy with the treatment meted out to them.

Sardar told another coach that he was not ready to play under Rajpal Singh. Sardar and Rajpal have not been on talking terms for the last one year after the latter was named captain.

Batra said he had called a meeting of the selectors, coaches and disciplinary committee members on August 27.

“I have also asked both the players to attend the meeting and explain their position, through they have already given their reasons in an email. If they don’t come, we will take it that they have nothing more to add,” Batra said.

Meanwhile, HI has called up drag-flicker VR Raghunath and midfielder Vikas Sharma as replacements for Sandeep and Sardar respectively.