Banned Sandeep & Sardara insists they took permission before leaving camp

Banned Sandeep and Sardara Singh insist they informed coach Michael Nobbs of their training camp exit

Banned Sandeep & Sardara insists they took permission before leaving camp

Banned Sandeep and Sardara Singh insist they informed coach Michael Nobbs of their training camp exit

India's top hockey players, defender Sandeep Singh and midfielder Sardara Singh, were shocked to learn about their two-year ban on Saturday while they were on their way home from Delhi following a Hockey India disciplinary committee meeting.

The Suspended Duo: Sandeep Singh (left) and Sardara Singh
will miss Olympic Qualifier

HI banned the duo from international tournaments for walking out of the Bangalore training camp, for next month's Asian Champions Trophy in China, on Tuesday without permission. Sardara and Sandeep, however, claimed that they had taken permission from chief coach Michael Nobbs before leaving the camp.

"At today's (Saturday) meeting, I told them that we had taken permission from chief coach Michael Nobbs before leaving the camp due to personal problems. But shockingly, in the meeting, Nobbs said that we had not taken any permission," Sardara toldu00a0SUNDAY MiD DAY.

Sandeep felt HI did not take their sides of the story into consideration at all. "I don't think the HI disciplinary panel has taken into consideration what I have said because if they had done that, I wouldn't have been banned for two years. I told them I have some family problems.

"My mother, father, elder brother, sister-in-law and nephew are all ill since last few days. And now this news (of my banning) will further affect their health. I don't know what I will do for the next two years. I am yet to receive the ban order. Once I get that, I will decide on my course of action. HI has been unfair to me," said Sandeep.

Sardara reasoned that he left the camp as he was not mentally prepared for the Asian Champions Trophy but is available for future tournaments. "I got the news after receiving telephone calls from well-wishers on my way home. Nothing was told to us in the meeting.

I told them that I am mentally not prepared to play the Asian Champions Trophy only, but now this ban has jeopardised my participation for the all-important Olympic qualifiers (early next year). It is very sad that I won't be able to play the Qualifiers now," said Sardara.

However, HI secretary Narinder Batra was firm. "This is the third time they have done this and some strict action was necessary," Batra told reporters in Delhi. The duo can appeal against the ban within 30 days, according to Batra.