“I am indeed surprised to learn that the Olympic qualifier preparatory camp has now been preponed to 11th December. As head coach of the Indian hockey team, I was asked to release a schedule to all the players on 21st March, 2011 detailing the dates of the national camp. The preparatory camp was logically scheduled for 24th January 2012, just before the Olympic Qualifiers (scheduled from 15th February).

Infact, World Series Hockey designed the schedule in a manner that the tournament would conclude by 22nd January to ensure there was no clash with the Olympic Qualifier camp. Thus, it now seems like a deliberate attempt on the part of Hockey India to schedule a national camp to intentionally clash with World Series Hockey. The event schedule for WSH was released on 21st July and it definitely seems odd that Hockey India has waited for the last minute to schedule a camp.

I have been told by various sources in the Indian team that the players are excited and looking forward to play in the inaugural edition of WSH. However they are being subjected to undue pressure and harassment and even made to sign on a blank paper with veiled threats of their possible ouster from the Indian national team.

There is no doubt that WSH will provide all the national and emerging players with the best platform to hone their skills against the world’s best players and under the leadership of some of the finest coaches in the world. Thus anyone trying to intentionally jeopardize the tournament is definitely not a well wisher for Hockey and the players.”