Hockey India / Hockey India League Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee imposes a 9 month ban on Gurbaj Singh

New Delhi, 10 August 2015: The meeting of the Hockey India / Hockey India League Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee was held today (10 August 2015) to review the behaviour and conduct of the Senior Men Core Probable, Mr. Gurbaj Singh.

The committee which included Mr. Harbinder Singh, Chairman (Athlete), Dr. R.P Singh (Athlete, Member) Dr. A B Subbaiah (Athlete, Member) and Ms. Jasjeet Kaur (Athlete, Member) was conducted in the presence of Mr. Jude Felix, Coach and Mr. Gurbaj Singh, Player. Post a detailed meeting the Committee came to the unanimous conclusion that Mr. Gurbaj Singh stands guilty of indiscipline and misbehaviour and a ban of 9 months has been imposed on him effective 10 August 2015 and will stay till 9 May 2016. With the ban, Gurbaj will be unable to play in any Hockey India, AHF and FIH sanctioned tournaments during this period.

Mr. Jude Felix, Coach had submitted a report post the conclusion of the FIH Hockey World League Semi-Finals 2015 providing feedback on Mr. Gurbaj Singh’s conduct and behaviour during the last three tournaments, including the World League Semi-Finals 2015, India vs Japan Series 2015 and Sultan of Azlan Shah 2015. The report mentioned that Mr. Gurbaj Singh showed a lack of respect to Coaches and other Support Staff attached to the National Program. He only listened to the Chief Coach and didn’t behave in a professional way and also created groupism amongst the squad. He also shows discontent by refusing to play in any position other than the right midfield position.

During the meeting the Committee also reviewed the reports and documents submitted by Coaches, Support Staff and athletes at the conclusion of the 2012 Olympic Games. These reports along with that of Mr. Jude Felix clearly brought to the forefront the ongoing unacceptable behaviour of Mr. Gurbaj Singh which was not in the best interest of the national team as it prepared for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Mr. Gurbaj Singh will have an opportunity to appeal against the decision of the Hockey India / Hockey India League Athletes Disputes and Grievance Redressal Committee within 30 days to the Hockey India Executive Board.