Gurbaj Singh to move court against his nine month ban

Gurbaj Singh was suspended for a period of nine months

Indian hockey midfielder Gurbaj Singh has decided to take the legal route after his appeal against the nine-month ban has been upheld by the appeal committee of Hockey India. The crafty midfielder did not mince words about his next move. “Mera ko insaaf chahiya. I have done nothing wrong and I still don’t know in what way I disrespected Jude Felix, I have nothing against him and I don’t know how he felt disrespected or that I misbehaved with him. I will move the court after consulting with my lawyers,” Gurbaj says in an exclusive chat.

Gurbaj, who has been one of the fulcrums of the Indian team, believes there is enough indication that he is not wanted in the team. “Nine-month ban is a huge ban – I cannot play any domestic hockey and cannot play in the HIL and was not part of the recent auction. I think it is a pre-planned move to keep me out of the national team,” he asserts.

The Punjab Police DSP says he will do his best to know why he has been framed on ‘misbehaving grounds’. “Neither my coach nor my team-mates have any problems with me, so how can a report of one man make it look like I have an attitude problem. It’s a clear case of finishing my hockey career,” he takes a dig at his critics.

Gurbaj is not at all optimistic about playing in the 2016 Rio Olympics. “Look, I cannot play any domestic hockey during this ban period, tell me how I can be considered for selection for the Rio Olympics. At the 2012 London Olympics, people made it look as if I was the only player responsible for our wooden spoon finish. I love playing hockey and there is nothing bigger than playing for the country and probably some people don’t want me to play for India,” he says in a no-holds-barred manner.

One hopes the legal route acts as a lifeline for this talented midfielder, who has shown that how much value he adds to the national team.