Sport - Hockey

Ad hoc panel to decide on ban

NEW DELHI: Within two days of Aslam Sher Khan announcing the lifting of the ban on three players for their “unruly and disgraceful” behaviour during the Premier Hockey League final last year, the Indian Olympic Association President, Suresh Kalmadi, said a final decision on the issue was yet to be taken.

In an incident in the PHL in Chandigarh, three members of the Sher-e-Jalandhar team, forward Tejbir Singh, goalkeeper Kamaldeep Singh and reserve goalkeeper Maninder Singh were handed a life ban for assaulting umpire Satinder Sharma. The decision was based on a report by tournament director and former international umpire Shakeel Quereshi.

The Chairman of the Selection Committee nominated by the IOA, Aslam Sher Khan, during a visit to Jalandhar on Sunday, had announced the lifting of the ban on the three players.

Mr. Kalmadi, however, said on Tuesday that a final decision would be taken by the IOA ad hoc committee. “The selection committee would give its recommendations and then we’ll see what is to be done,” said Mr. Kalmadi.

Olympian Ajit Pal Singh, a member of the selection committee, questioned the authority of Aslam Sher Khan to take and announce such a decision. “It’s a policy matter and only the ad hoc committee can take a decision on lifting the ban. I am for the players but will not support any act of indiscipline.”

The ad hoc committee is to meet soon to decide on the issue.

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