Brasa adamant on Prabhjot captaining squad: Sources

CHENNAI: The crisis on the captaincy issue of the Indian hockey squad deepened on Sunday with chief coach Jose Brasa adamant on pushing his case that Prabhjot Singh should be made the skipper of the World Cup side.

Sources in the team said Brasa has summoned Prabhjot, who had gone to his native place in Punjab after he was being assured of captaincy by the Spaniard, to meet him to discuss how to make a united move to present their case.

“Brasa had told Prabhjot that he will be the captain come what may and that he (Brasa) will maintain his word that Prabhjot will be the captain for India in the World Cup,” a source said.

“Prabhjot, if not made captain, might even leave the camp and refuse to play in the World Cup,” the source added.

It is learnt that a section of the players were shocked by Hockey India decision to retain Rajpal Singh as captain after they had been told by Brasa that Prabhjot will lead the side in the February 28-March 13 high-profile event.

“Before the selection trials yesterday, Brasa had announced at the hotel in the presence of all players that Prabhjot Singh will be the captain with four vice-captains. This morning we came to know that Rajpal is the captain. This had irked both Brasa and Prabhjot, who is away at his home,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Rajpal said that there was no disunity among the players and there was no meeting.

“As far as I am concerned, I am the captain and I declare that there is no disunity among us. All the players including Prabhjot are together and have been looking forward to playing for the country in the World Cup. I have not been told about the meeting tonight,” Rajpal said.

Another senior player on the condition of anonymity said, “There has been problems between Brasa and other coach. Now this has trickled down to divide players too. Unfortunately two players from same club — Indian Oil Corporation — are now at loggerheads.”