Mukesh furious with HI

By DNA Correspondent

Three-time Olympian Mukesh Kumar is not a happy man. After a nasty surprise at the Sports Authority of India Southern Centre a few months ago, there has been another surprise for this once-feared forward.

Earlier, Kumar had found out that Harendra Singh had been given charge of the junior team and he had not been informed of the development. He left the SAI campus immediately. And now, Jugraj Singh, Sandeep Sangwan and Baljit Singh Saini have been named as the coaches for the junior team. With the camp set to begin in two days, Mukesh says he has not been told that he will not be coaching the juniors.

“I have been insulted by Hockey India for the second time. Some time back, they brought in Harendra Singh although I had been originally appointed as the chief coach of the juniors. They put me in after Harendra quit the camp. Now, Saini has been brought in,” he said, questioning what criteria had been used to choose Saini.

“I have represented India in more than 300 international matches, three Olympic Games, two World Cups and two Asiads. I should not be getting this kind of treatment. Till today, Hockey India has not told me that I have been sacked,” Mukesh said.

Meanwhile, Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said that Mukesh has not been dropped. “I told him that he would be in charge of the coaching and development committee,” he said.