Five seniors to skip hockey selection trials

BANGALORE: Injuries and indisposition prevented five seniors, including Sardar Singh, from taking part in the three-day selection trials which began at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre on Wednesday.

Sardar was conspicuous by his absence, having been hospitalised for urinary tract infection. The star midfielder, who has already missed around six days of hockey action owing fever and chills, should recover in a few days, it is learnt.

Also out were Arjun Halappa (groin injury), Tushar Khandker and Dharamvir Singh (ankle) and Vikram Pillay (knee). According to team sources, they will take a few weeks to get back into action.

The opening day of the trials saw the juniors play in the morning while the seniors were divided into two teams for a session in the evening. The trials were witnessed by selectors Col Balbir Singh, AB Subbaiah, BP Govinda and government observer Dilip Tirkey along with chief coach Michael Nobbs.

The number will be reduced to 48 as per government directives for preparation of teams for the London Olympics. The rest of the probables will leave Bangalore, said Hockey India executive director Anupam Gulati. “The juniors among them will figure in the Jharkhand Nationals in July-August and the others will await a call for the development camp,” he added.

The juniors too have a crucial phase ahead. A fresh bunch will be picked from the Nationals for a camp as they head towards a six-nation tournament in Johor Bahru in December. This is in preparation for the Junior World Cup to be hosted by India in 2013.