Chikara to replace Halappa as stand-by

NEW DELHI: Experienced forward Bharat Chikara is set to replace Arjun Halappa as a stand-by in the Indian hockey team for this month’s Olympic Qualifiers after the former captain left the national camp following his omission from the main squad.

Minutes after Halappa was named as one of the four stand-bys for the London Olympic qualifiers to be held from February 18-26, the veteran mid-fielder left for his hometown, Bangalore in disgust.

While Halappa was mulling retirement from international hockey after the snub, the other three stand-by players — Manjeet Kullu, VS Vinay and Chingelsana Singh — are training with the 18-member team at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

“Bharat (Chikara) is training with the team and will replace Arjun as a stand-by. Arjun is not here with the team. He left the national camp, disappointed with his omission from the main squad,” a Hockey India selector said.

India captain Bharat Chetri also confirmed that Chikara is training with the team as Halappa’s replacement.