Errant players skip hearing
The five ‘rebel’ players summoned by Hoc-key India for ‘ditching’ the National probables’ camp failed to show up for the disciplinary panel hearing slated for Sunday in New Delhi.
“They did not turn up for the hearing today,” said Hockey India Disciplinary Committee chairman Pargat Singh. “After they had sent a written reply to the show-cause notice, I had summoned them for a meeting. I gave them the option to choose the time, date and venue.
“Last week, they told me they would meet me on Sunday (today), but they failed to show up. What’s worse, I have not received any sort of communication from them.”
The quintet — Arjun Halappa, Prabhjot Singh, Sandeep Singh, Sardar Singh and Adrian D’Souza — walked out of the camp at the Sports Authority of India campus here for two days to attend a World Series Hockey press conference in Mumbai despite being denied permission. A miffed HI immediately suspended the players for ‘indiscipline’ before allowing them to train only for the first phase — which concluded on July 30 — after issuing show-cause notices. Although the five players replied to their respective notices, Pargat had sought a meeting with them to orally hear their reasons for skipping the camp on their own.
Asked if he would suggest strong action against the players for skipping the hearing, the former India captain said he would only state the facts. “I will submit a simple report to HI. I will not make any suggestions. It’s entirely HI’s discretion.”
A source from HI, however, said the five players would join the camp as their tickets to Bangalore had been approved 4-5 days ago. “As far I know, air tickets were dispatched to the players and they should be flying now. All of them should report for the second phase starting tomorrow. Chances are the issue will be sorted out next week.”
Camp to resume
After resting and recuperating for a week, 46 of the 48 probables will hit their straps on Monday when the second phase of the national camp kicks off here. The camp will run until August 27, and emphasis will be laid on identifying the core group of 24-25 players who will form the crux of coach Micahel Nobbs’ plans.
Nobbs, who reached New Delhi on Thursday night, will reach the City only by Monday evening because of pending paper work, while camp chief co-ordinator and assistant coach SS Grewal will touch base in the morning. Most of the probables flew in by Sunday night, some checking into the hostel well past midnight.
Exercise physiologist David John, who flew back to Australia in the last week of July, is expected to join the camp in the middle of this month.