Six top players not to play in WSH

PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENT

Six prominent players of the current Indian hockey team have informed Hockey India (HI) that they would like to be part of the National camp than play in the World Series Hockey (WSH).

In a letter to HI Secretary General Narinder Batra on Tuesday, six players – Bharat Chettri, Tushar Khandekar, Yuvraj Walmiki, P.R. Sreejesh, Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh – have conveyed their decision not to play in the WSH. They have preferred to attend the National camp, starting at National Stadium here from December 11, in the run-up to the Olympic qualifier.

According to the letter, released by HI on Thursday, the said players would be available for selection in the National team for the Olympic qualifier.

“We signed the contract with WSH under the impression that WSH would not force us to play only in WSH and ask us to leave the National camp. We appeal to the WSH to postpone their tournament till after the qualifier,” said the players, now playing in the Champions Challenge 1 in South Africa.

“We will play for our country and it is a matter of honour and pride for us,” they added.

A war of words has been on between HI and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), which backs the WSH, over the scheduling of the league. HI, which had been saying that the unsanctioned league would affect the preparations for the Olympic qualifier, has advanced the National camp from January to December.