Lifeline again for Sandeep, Sardar

MANUJA VEERAPPA

Given their history of indiscipline, Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh on Wednesday got lucky.
The two, handed a twoyear ban on August 27 for quitting the national camp days before the team’s departure for the Asian Champions Trophy, have been let off with a “stern warning“.

According to Hockey Indian executive director Anupam Ghulati, the Haryana police pair had rendered an unconditional apology and asked to be given a final chance.

They have also stated that if they were found to be violating rules again, then the two-year ban could be reimposed.

“The appeals committee has decided to give the two players another chance keeping in mind their age, performance and future,“ he added.

The HI action does not come as a surprise, because it was always known that the ban was only meant to warn the players and get them to toe the line.

According to HI sources the appeals committee met early so as to allow the players to get back to the camp, which got under way at the SAI South Centre on Tuesday. A relieved Sandeep after the meeting said, “It comes as a huge relief. We all make mistakes and its all about rectifying them and moving on. We will be joining the camp on Thursday evening.“

This was the third instance this year, where the two players have apologised and promised better behaviour and failed to live up to that.

With the players arriving in Bengaluru on Thursday, the big question now is, how will chief coach Michael Nobbs tackle his wards It’s well known that Sardar and skipper Rajpal Singh are not on the best of terms, while Sandeep too has issues with the coaching staff.

With the Olympic qualifiers less than six-months away, the team can illafford such tantrums.

“The two have not been on their best behaviour in recent times but their contribution to the team cannot be discounted. The way they walked out of the camp in August still rankles. “Apprehensions remain about their intentions. But in the interests of the team, which needs to marshall every bit of its resources ahead of the qualifiers, I welcome them back to the camp,“said Nobbs.