The Tribune: Gurbaj seeks inclusion in HIL reserve list

18 December, 2015
Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service

Launching yet another attack on Hockey India (HI), hockey player Gurbaj Singh today demanded his immediate inclusion in the list of reserve players for the Hockey India League (HIL).

Gurbaj said that even though his nine-month ban had been revoked in October after the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, he has not been considered for selection. “HI has kept around 182 players in the reserve list of HIL, but my name has not been included till date,” said Gurbaj.

As Gurbaj was still under suspension during the HIL auctions in September, his name was not considered.
Gurbaj said that his career had already suffered a major setback as he had missed many international and domestic tournaments during the two-month ban period. “If I don’t play, how will I show my game to the national selectors?” he said.

Asked whether he would again contemplate knocking the court’s door, he said: “Only after seeing HI’s response, will I plan my future course of action.”

HI president Narinder Batra said that the list had been prepared by the national selectors after a thorough consideration of each player. “I cannot intervene in their selection process at any stage,” said Batra.
Hockey Punjab secretary Pargat Singh came out in support of Gurbaj, saying that it was very important for a player to continue his game. “HI should give him a chance; Gurbaj might prove to be a big asset to Indian hockey,” said Pargat.