New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) on Saturday lifted the nine-month ban on Gurbaj Singh with immediate effect in the wake of Punjab and Haryana High Court's order that termed the suspension of the senior player "illegal".
The decision on Gurbaj was taken at HI's athletes’ disputes and grievance addressal committee headed by former great Harbinder Singh, days after the High Court said the charges levelled against the player were not enough for the severe ban he was handed.
HI had alleged that Gurbaj created disharmony and groupism in the team and suspended him following the Hockey World League semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium.
Finding the ban unfair, the midfielder sought legal action. Sticking to its earlier stance, committee said it is letting off Gurbaj with a warning. "We issue Gurbaj Singh a warning that should he misconduct himself in the future, this committee shall take serious note of the same. Should any complaint be received regarding his conduct in the future, it is clarified, that his past record, including that at the London Olympics, will be taken into consideration. We sincerely hope that the members of the national team do not repeat the mistake of indiscipline and creating groupism within the team.
In light of the above, we decide that it would be appropriate to reduce the period of ban to the period already undergone. Gurbaj Singh, with immediate effect, would be eligible to participate in all Hockey India, AHF and FIH sanctioned tournaments," said the committee.
The Harbinder-headed panel comprised former players RP Singh, AB Subbaiah, Jasjeet Kaur and HI CEO Elena Norman.
Hockey India still thinks Gurbaj was at fault but had no choice other than following the court order. Gurbaj, on his part, has decided to move on and is eager to get back into the Indian team. "For me it is case of forgetting what happened and working my way into the team again. I was left with no choice and that is why I had to take the legal route to prove my innocence. I am glad that the court decided the case in my favour.
Playing for India is an honour and I have never intended to do any harm to the team. All this while I was working hard on my game back home in Jalandhar. Now just waiting to get back on the field in India colours," Gurbaj told PTI.
