Key players abandon Hockey camp
By Mihir Vasavda | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA
The turmoil in the Indian hockey camp seems to be growing by the day. In the latest incident — and a clear indication that all is not well within the team — key players Sandeep Singh and Sardara Singh left the ongoing national camp in Bangalore just days before the team was supposed to depart to China for the Asian Champions Trophy.
The duo will most likely be axed from the squad and may be replaced by VR Raghunath and Vikas Sharma. An official statement from Hockey India (HI) is expected soon.
It is learnt that Sandeep and Sardara were ‘sad’ and ‘agitated’ because of the way they were treated by newly-appointed chief coach Michael Nobbs.
To add to it, a verbal joust Sardara had with camp in-charge SS Grewal on Monday evening further fuelled the fire.
The duo decided to leave the camp on Monday night but the team management tried to convince them to stay back. However, they were in no mood to relent and left from the SAI South Centre at 6am on Tuesday.
Both, Sandeep and Sardara informed the coach and the rest of the staff of their decision. However they cited ‘personal reasons’ as the reason to leave the camp.
“Several players are unhappy with the way things have unfolded ever since Nobbs has taken over. In fact, Nobbs has had very little say and most of the decisions are taken by Grewal. And the situation worsened after (goalkeeper) Adrian (D’Souza) was left out of the squad,” a team official said.
It must be recalled that Sandeep and Sardara — along with D’Souza, Arjun Halappa and Prabhjot Singh – were pulled up by HI last month for leaving the camp to attend an event organised by Indian Hockey Federation, which is HI’s rival body. D’Souza and Prabhjot were subsequently dropped from the squad while an injured Halappa had opted out earlier.
Sandeep said he wasn’t sure when he would return to the camp again. “I have left because of personal reasons. My family needed me and that is why I had to leave the camp. Same is the case with Sardara. I do not know right now when I will go back,” Sandeep told DNA.
Disciplinary committee chairman Pargat Singh did not wish to comment on the issue, while HI secretary general Narendra Batra did not respond to the calls.
Their absence may cost India dear in the six-nation tournament, which begins in Ordos (China) on September 3. Even at the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in May, India struggled to make an impact without the two.
They were omitted from the Azlan Shah squad after they participated in the Belgian league without taking HI’s permission. While the team has relied heavily on Sandeep’s drag-flicks, Sardara was the only Indian to feature in FIH’s World XI last year.
1 Comment
Dear Mihir Vasdeva ,Please dont give more air to matter.They are good player we know.Is this not happening in cricket they are resting some players and checking the others.
NO ONE IS ABOVE THE NATION.IF THEY AR EON THIS LEVEL ,this is due to HOCKEY.
I can give you the example of SV sunil ,Kamaljeet Singh when their fatehr died they dont leave th eteam,they played that time for country.
We know where we arein Hockey ,we bring more coach with Brasa some changes came and we dont give him more time.Other coach also tried but we not suceed more.So we are doing some wrong.We are giving our 100% but result not coming so we have to do more than 100%.
We have to support our coaching staff.Every one knows, and we are reading everday news of indian Hockey in newspaper which before we cant find even,now bad news are also coming.
COach has the responsibilty of the team.He has to answer for team.They bring the system for fittness where we are lacking.Are our player knows more than the experts?
If they are making the issue of Prabhjot and ADRIAN ,our coach already clear that he need pool of 30 players.So they are in that list.
Adrian said in one statement he is fittest person of the camp.But in Stick2hockey,please check most fittest person is GURBAJ SINGH.If Adrin is fittest then report is wrong.
You cant clap with one hand.We have to keep in mind we play AZLAN SHAH cup without them when they were busy in Belgium league.
NATION COME FIRST.Our Player has to understand that we have to perform well consuistantly .It is INDIA the people will take them on their heads.Do something with spirit.Dont cahnelize your energy to other side.
MAY GOD GIVE THEM MORE POWER TO PLAY FOR THE COUNTRY,so they can Make our TRICOLOR High of world satge of Hockey.Thanks.