World Series Hockey row deepens

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Hockey India’s “persuasion” might have “forced” 12 members of the national team to sign on the dotted line — agreeing to skip the cash-rich World Series Hockey beginning December 17 — but the exercise has left the players fuming.

It is reliably learnt that the players — participating in the ongoing Champions Challenge tournament in South Africa — have been harassed and forced to sign on blank papers, against their wishes.

So far, 12 players have sent signed letters to Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra confirming their availability for the national camp that begins here on December 11, but sources suggest that HI had its way after it “threatened” to drop players from the quarter-final against Malaysia on the day.

Further, a few of them were even locked out of their rooms forcing them to spent time in the lobby of the Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg, while the rest were approached at 6 am to give their consent.

“All of us signed on a blank paper after being told that Hockey India would send a letter to Nimbus, asking them to shift the league to after the Olympic qualifiers. We signed under that impression,” confirmed a player, whose name appears in the letter addressed to Batra.

“Most of us had no clue about the content of the letter that reached Hockey India.”

Skipper Bharat Chetri, Tushar Khandker, Yuvraj Walmiki, P.R. Sreejesh, Sandeep Singh, Sardar Singh signed on Wednesday. Joining them on Thursday were Birender Lakra, Manjeet Kullu, Rupinder Pal Singh, Danish Mujtaba, K. Chinglensana Singh and Manpreet Singh.

Caught at the wrong end of the stick, the players are now contemplating a change in their decision, and have even confirmed their availability to Nimbus, organisers of the breakaway league.

“Hockey India is deploying pressure tactics and the players are afraid and confused. In reality, almost everyone wants to play in the WSH. Hockey India’s harassment has added fuel to the fire. Why are we suffering because of the federations infighting? No one is choosing money over country,” the player added.