Namdharis slapped with three-year ban

KSHA Suspends Coach Didar Singh For Life, Hands Five-Year Ban To Dhyan Singh

Bangalore: The Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA) has banned the Namdhari team for three years for gross misconduct during the recent Super Division league.

The Namdharis, who were found repeatedly resorting to violence against their opponents and the officials in the league, capped their despicable run manhandling umpire Arun Babu during their match on October 12.

They were instigated no end by their coach and manager Didar Singh, who despite copping a ban after having picked a quarrel with umpire Hardeep Singh midway through the league, returned to goad his team into violence again on October 12.

The executive council of the KSHA, which met on October 20, studied the report submitted by tournament director AB Palangappa as also the eye witness accounts of its members before arriving at a unanimous decision that the Namdhari team “as a whole will be barred from taking part in any hockey tournament conducted under the aegis of the State association for three years.”

Didar Singh has been suspended for life and “as such he shall be barred from associating himself in any capacity in any team in the State,” a KSHA release said.

Namdhari player Dhyan Singh, who allegedly manhandled Ar un Babu, has been suspended for five years.“The decision is effective from October 12,” KSHA secretary K Krishnamurthy told TOI.

“We will forward a copy of this letter to the ad hoc committee of the IOA for information and action.”

Krishnamurthy said the Namdharis could appeal against the decision but that would be heard only after the new set of office-bearers and a council is formed following the elections.

“The council met for the last time on October 20. It also decided that the elections to the KSHA will be held during the AGM on December 7. Appeals, if any, by the Namdharis will be heard only after the elections.”