Indian hockey defender Gurbaj Singh in trouble for indiscipline

Gurbaj Singh

Senior Indian midfielder Gurbaj Singh’s indiscipline ways has attracted the attention of Hockey India’s nine-member Special Committee. The committee headed by Olympian Harbinder Singh, has written to Hockey India President Narinder Batra over his unbecoming behavior.

It is learnt that the ace medio has apparently misbehaved with the Indian coaches as per the reports submitted by the coaches and manager. It may be worth recalling that Gurbaj was kept out of the national fold after the 2012 London Olympics during coach Michael Nobbs’ stint on similar grounds.

The committee, which also comprises B P Govinda, V Bhaskaran, Thoiba Singh, R P Singh, A B Subbaiah, Asunta Lakra, Jasjeet Kaur and Hockey India CEO Elena Norman as members, has found Gurbaj of disturbing the unity and harmony in the side and added that Gurbaj is not keen to play in different positions if needed.

The midfielder is still part of the core group and will be called for a hearing ahead of the next camp in September, following which a final call will be taken. Gurbaj will not be picked for August’s European tour – the itinerary of which is still to be obtained.

One of the senior players in the team, Gurbaj played his 200^th international during the recent Hockey World League semis in Belgium. One hopes that Gurbaj takes the necessary corrective measures and is back in the national fold as he is a key player for India’s Olympic campaign.

“He is a senior player and should behave like that, guiding the team and not resorting to indiscipline ways. He is an experienced player and such behavior is unexpected of him,” said a Hockey India official.