Hindustantimes: Chief selector miffed with HI top boss

Chief selector miffed with HI top boss

Saurabh Duggal, Hindustan Times

Hockey India’s (HI) selection committee head, Col Balbir Singh, will not attend the selection trials in Bangalore (September 25-26) to pick the squad for the Australia tour. Reason: Balbir has been directed to meet HI secretary-general, Narinder Batra, before going to Bangalore and share the details of the conversation that took place during a get together hosted by him in Jalandhar on September 18. Balbir had organised a party for members of the selection panel, officials and government observers who had come to the city for the under-21 trials.

This haven’t gone down well and Balbir has decided not to travel for the trials.

There were around 14 selectors and HI officials at Balbir’s residence and some of them reportedly communicated to Batra that there was serious criticism of him. Batra then asked Balbir to come to Delhi to give an explanation.

An official, who was present at Balbir’s residence, told HT: “Some of us spoke against Batra and the conversation got leaked. To know the details he called Balbir, who refused to speak. This is unethical. He (Balbir) is not only a senior member of the selection committee, but also an Olympic medallist.”