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News for 03 February 2016

All the news for Wednesday 3 February 2016


PW win against DWR 2-5

s2h team



Punjab Warriors defeat hosts Delhi by 2-5 2nd February, 2016; New Delhi: Hosts Delhi Waveriders who defeated Jaypee Punjab Warriors in their opening game in Chandigarh lost out to the same team 2-5 today in the return leg at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi. With this win Jaypee Punjab Warriors share the third place in the points table (17 points) with Kalinga Lancers and Delhi Waveriders.

Delhi Waveriders began their campaign on a slow note after yesterday’s loss, but the visitors capitalised early through a penalty corner conversion through Mark Gleghorne in the 10th minute, giving Jaypee Punjab Warriors an early lead of 1-0.

The visitors were seen playing beautiful hockey as they successfully marked all the players of Delhi Waveriders. Their attacking game was soon rewarded with another penalty corner in the 11th minute, and Mark Knowles made no mistake in converting the same extending their lead to 2-0.

Sardar Singh and his team were on an attacking spree today as most of the game in the first half was happening in the Delhi circle and such a pressing game led to a third consecutive penalty for the visitors in the 22nd minute. Christopher Ciriello made no mistake in converting the penalty corner giving Jaypee Punjab Warriors a massive 3-0 lead in the first half of the game.

The third quarter of the match saw Delhi Waveriders enter the field with a different strategy. The hosts started playing an attacking game and their efforts saw results in the opening minute of the third quarter through a penalty corner conversion from Rupinder Pal Singh, taking the score to 1-3 still in the favour of Jaypee Punjab Warriors. Jaypee Punjab Warriors came back strongly and scored a field goal in the 37th minute on the counter through Jake Whetton taking the score to 5-1 in their favour.

Delhi continued with their pressing game but some extraordinary saves by Triston Clemans, Jaypee Punjab warriors Goal Keeper ensured that the visitors maintained their lead in the match. The fourth and final quarter of the match saw the hosts playing at their attacking best, but the visitors displayed top class hockey foiling all the attempts to score from Delhi Waveriders. Delhi still did not lose hope and kept attacking and were rewarded with another penalty corner in the 55th minute which was duly converted by Rupinder Pal Singh who scored his and the teams second goal today. The match ended with a score of 2-5 in the favour of Jaypee Punjab Warriors.

Coal India Goal of the Match award of INR 50,000 - Jake Whetton from Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Most Entertaining Player of the Match award- Surendra Kumar from Delhi Waveriders
Man of the Match award of INR 50,000 - Sardar Singh from Jaypee Punjab Warriors
Hero Emerging Player of the Match award of INR 25,000 - Varun Kumar

The next match of the 4th Coal India Hockey India League will be played between Dabang Mumbai and defending Champions Ranchi Rays at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai on 3rd February, 2016.

Stick2Hockey.com



Warriors exact revenge

Uthra Ganesan


Mark Knowles is greeted by teammates after socring Punjab Warriors' second goal agaist Delhi Waveriders on Tuesday. Photo: R.V. Moorthy

Wayward in attack and porous in defence, the Delhi side was always playing catch up even as Punjab was off attacking early.

Jaypee Punjab Warriors avenged its defeat at home to Delhi Waveriders with a 5-2 victory here on Tuesday even as the team’s fortunes continued to follow a pattern of alternate wins and losses in the fourth edition of the Hockey India League so far.

Wayward in attack and porous in defence, the Delhi side was always playing catch up even as Punjab was off attacking early.

Its first real chance came in the sixth minute when S.V. Sunil made a solo run all along the length of the field but failed to stop in time and lost control inside the striking circle.

Surender Kumar and an alert Vickram Kanth were tested and both did their best to thwart Punjab’s challenge but with at least five Punjab players crowding the opposition 25-yard area at all times, it wasn’t easy. The visitors took the lead through Mark Gleghorne’s penalty corner conversion and a couple of minutes later, Mark Knowles struck in a rebound to double the lead after Jasjit Singh Kular’s PC shot came off the post.

The host tried to claw back but with Man of the Match Sardar Singh and the Australian trio of Matthew Gohdes, Simon Orchard and Mark Knowles forming the midfield link, Punjab staked claim over superiority in possession and ground control.

Another penalty corner in the 22nd minute saw Punjab stretching the lead to 3-0 before Rupinder Pal Singh got one of his own to reduce the arrears. Two minutes later, though, Jake Whetton’s brilliant deflection off a long cross ended all Delhi hopes. Another PC in the 55th minute helped reduce the margin for Delhi but was not enough to earn it one point.

Delhi captain Simon Child also felt aggrieved by two field goals that were disallowed on referral but Punjab’s overall superiority was evident. For Delhi, the biggest find would have to be Surender Kumar in defence.

Despite staying under the radar in the presence of bigger stars, the 22-year old has been the reason for Delhi not conceding more goals that it has so far in the competition. The result put Punjab level on 17 points with Delhi with a game in hand.

The result: Jaypee Punjab Warriors 5 (Jake Whetton 2 FG, Mark Gleghorne PC, Mark Knowles PC, Christopher Chiriello PC) bt Delhi Waveriders 2 (Rupinder Pal Singh 2 PC).

The Hindu



Punjab Warriors beat Delhi Waveriders 5-2

Mukesh Thapliyal


(TOI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Jaypee Punjab Warriors dished out an attacking brand of hockey to register a convincing 5-2 win over home team Delhi Waveriders in the league match of the Hockey India League (HIL) played at the Shivaji Stadium on Tuesday.

Mark Gleghorne (10' PC) Mark Knowles (11' PC), Christopher Ciriello (22' PC) and Jake Whetton (37' FG) scored for the winning Punjab team while Rupinder Pal Singh (35'PC and 55' PC) struck a fine brace for the losing Delhi side. With this win Punjab Warriors shared the third place in the points table (17 points) with Kalinga Lancers and Delhi Waveriders.

Warriors were on the move right from the word go as they got the penalty corner in the fourth minute of the game but it was denied later on review. Warriors doubled their efforts as they took the lead six minutes later through a fine penalty corner conversion by Mark Gleghorne. Sharp Mark Knowles joined the party in the very next minute, again in the penalty corner, as he taps the ball inside the goal to make it 2-0 for Warriors after Jasjit Singh Kular's shot hit the right post. Warriors led 2-0 after the end of first quarter.

Warriors were looking more menacing in the second quarter as they got their third Penalty Corner of the match after review in the 22nd minute and Christopher Ciriello converted it with a fine drag flick to read scoreline 3-0 in favour of the visiting team. A minute later Nithin Thimmiah unleashed a strong hit from the right flank inside the striking circle which was well saved by Waveriders goalkeeper Devon Manchester with his stick.

Waveriders fought hard in search of a goal but their efforts were not producing the desired results they wanted as Warriors went into half-time with a healthy 3-0 lead.

Waveriders got their act together after the lemon-break as skipper Simon Child tapped a ball inside on a rebound from Warriors goalkeeper Tristan Clemons but the Punjab team went for referral and to Delhi's dismay the goal was denied. Waveriders finally got their first penalty corner of the match in the 5th minute of the third quarter as Rupinder Pal Singh's high dangerous drag-flick was well read by the Warriors 'keeper leading it to another short corner and Rupinder did the same on the right corner but it gave Delhi score this time as the scoreboard read 1-3.

Two minutes later Warriors launched an attack on the rival citadel with skipper Sardar Singh dodging three defenders on the edge of striking circle before passing it to Nithin who whacked a diagonal pass inside the D and Jack Whetton gave a deft touch to give Punjab team decisive 5-1 lead at the end of third quarter.

The fourth and final quarter was no different for the Waveriders as they kept looking for an opportunity to score but falling short of converting the chance that came their way. Rupinder pal Singh struck his second goal of the day in the 55th minute of the game, making it 2-5 for the Delhi team but it was too late by then. Waveriders got another great chance in the dying moments of the game on a goal mouth melee when the ball was just about to cross the goalline but sharp reflexes from Warriors' Knowles denied them any goal as he cleared the ball with perfection.

The Times of India



Punjab Warriors catch Delhi Waveriders off guard to spice up standings


Punjab Warriors players celebrate a goal on Tuesday (HIL photo)

It was not a happy outing for the Waveriders for the second successive day as they failed to produce the spark of earlier seasons.

Former champions Delhi Waveriders' homecoming turned out to be a disappointing affair as they lost 2-5 to Jaypee Punjab Warriors to slump to their second consecutive loss in the fourth season of Hockey India League at the floodlit Shivaji Stadium at New Delhi on Tuesday.

For Punjab Warriors Mark Gleghorne (10th minute), Mark Knowles (11th), Christopher Ciriello (22nd) and Jake Whetton (37th) were the scorers, while Rupinder Pal Singh (35th, 55th) converted two out of the six penalty corners that the home team earned in the match.

The Waveriders had earlier lost 4-6 to Uttar Pradesh Wizards at the same venue on Monday. The Waveriders will now travel to Bhubaneswar to face Kalinga Lancers in their next match on February 5, while Punjab Warriors will host Uttar Pradesh Wizards in Chandigarh on February 4.

It was not a happy outing for the Waveriders for the second successive day as they failed to produce the spark of earlier seasons and showed glimpses of brilliance. The Waveriders played well in patches, especially after the change of ends, whereas Punjab Warriors looked a more cohesive unit and threatened the home team s backline from the word go.

Punjab Warriors earned their first penalty corner in the 10th minute which was beautifully executed by Gleghorne. A minute later Punjab Warriors extended their lead when Australian Knowles scored from a rebound after Jasjit Singh Kular's intial try from their second set-piece struck the top upright.

In the 22nd minute, Punjab Warriors made the scoreline 3-0 in their favour when Christopher Ciriello converted their third penalty corner. Punjab Warriors made some good forays with their skipper Sardar Singh delivering a great diagonal reverse hit assist for Nikkin Thimmaiah in the 26th but the lanky striker's shot was saved by a diving Waveriders goalie Devon Manchester.

Putting behind their lacklustre performance in the first two quarters, the hosts came out with more purpose after the change of ends and dominated the proceedings in the third quarter during which they created some good chances. After their aweful performance last night wherein Waveriders wasted as many as 11 penalty corners, Rupinder was bang on target with his team's second set piece with a powerful high flick to reduce the scoreline to 3-1. But much to the disappointment of home fans, Punjab Warriors made the scoreline 5-1 two minutes later when Whetton scored a field goal from a tight angle.

DNA



Azlan Shah Cup trials : Places up for grabs but only 35 show up

By Nabil Tahir


PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: The first phase of open trials for the selection of the 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup were a major letdown as only 35 players showed up at the Hockey Club of Pakistan on Tuesday.

With thousands of registered players in Sindh and adjoining Balochistan, a decent turnout at the very least was expected, but instead seven participants from interior Sindh, 10 from Balochistan and 18 from Karachi appeared.

The players’ lack of interest in the trials perhaps mirrored that of the selection committee as only two selectors — Waseem Feroz and Farhat Khan — were at hand to observe the measly attendance, with the chairman of selection committee Olympian Rasheed Junior, Qasim Khan and Saeed Khan being notable absentees.

A player at the trials linked the low turnout with the absence of key selection committee members, although coach Hanif Khan — who attended the camp with Shahbaz Ahmed Senior — blamed it on the general decline in popularity of hockey.

“The number of players shows how much hockey has declined in the two provinces, which were earlier known as the hub of hockey,” Hanif told to The Express Tribune. “The clubs and association are also not working hard for the revival.”

A former player added that this number is enough to open the eyes of the management. “They will have to work really hard as there is no hockey at grass-roots level. Only few clubs are working and their players don’t have any interest in trials as they know they won’t be selected due to the internal lobby,” he said.

The Express Tribune



Polo secure top class umpires for Top Hockey

Real Club Polo de Barcelona have secured some of Europe’s best umpires for their fourth edition of Top Hockey Barcelona which gets under way next week.

The tournament is now becoming a major tradition in the calendar. Polo decided to create a new winter tournament which would become the last and most serious test for teams before the re-start of the official outdoor season.

From the very beginning, the club from Barcelona wanted this tournament to become a reference in the European winter. With this goal in mind, the organisation tried not only to invite the best teams of Europe, but also the best umpires.

Yesterday, the list of referees for this 2016 edition was revealed. Together with the six teams – featuring the host, Atletic Terrassa, Rotterdam, Oranje Zwart, Club de Campo and Den Bosch – there will be six of the best to officiate the nine games of sunny hockey at the Eduardo Dualde field.

The Spanish international umpire Paco Vázquez will have the help of their compatriots Marc Gabarró and Jordi Puig. Despite coming from Argentina, it’s usual to see Marcelo Servetto blowing the whistle on Spanish fields during #LaLigaHockey and he will be also participating in Top Hockey Barcelona.

Last but not least, the Gibraltar star Nathan Stagno and the Dutchman Coen van Bunge complete this brilliant list managed by Philip Schellekens.The tournament gets under way on February 11.

Euro Hockey League media release



JPIL Super Championship Weekend

With the NFL Super Bowl on Sunday, we present the Junior Premier Indoor League (JPIL) Super Championships!

We survived the blizzard of 2016 and this past weekend we wrapped up pool play in both the U-16 and U-19 Divisions, at the home of our title sponsor, The Get Good Fieldhouse in Laurel, Md.

This Saturday, February 6, at the 422 Sportsplex in Pottstown, Pa., we will crown the 2016 U-14 Champion. On Sunday, the U-16 and U-19 Championships will be held at the Sportsplex in Feasterville, Pa.

The top two clubs in each of the U-14 Pools have been identified and will compete to see who will take home the JPIL Challenge Championship Trophy.

In Pool A, Xcalibur (Blandon, Pa.) the only undefeated club team, tops the leader board followed by FC United (Darien, Conn.). In Pool B, Jersey Intensity (Monmouth Beach, N.J.) tops that division followed by Freedom HKY (Edgewater, Md.). These four club teams will battle to see who will reign supreme. Will Xcalibur be able to defend its 2015 crown? Join us on Saturday and show your support.  

Xcalibur continues its dominance in both the U-16 and U-19 Divisions as well. In each of these two divisions, the top four club teams have been identified and the stage is set for an exciting conclusion on Super Sunday.

In the U-16 Division, Xcalibur tops the statistics board followed by Freedom HKY and Gottaloveit-Oranje (Millsboro, Del.) whose current ranking was decided by “Goal Difference”. The fourth and final spot in the Championship bracket was secured by IFHCKB (Louisville, Ky.) who traveled each week all the way from Kentucky to test their abilities against some of the best club teams. Three club teams tied for this position, but IFHCK got the nudge again based on goal difference.

Xcalibur also sits on top of the U-19 leader board followed closely by Hudson Valley (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) and East Coast FH (Hershey, Pa.). With another three way tie for the fourth and final spot that FSC (Mechanicsville, Pa.) was able to secure ahead of SPark using goals for as the deciding tie breaker.

So on this Super Weekend, join us and  witness some of the best indoor hockey in the country and support your favorite club teams. Who will capture the prestigious Championships? Will Xcalibur take home all three JPIL Challenge Championship Trophies? These questions will be answered this weekend as we bring the 2016 JPIL season to a successful conclusion.  

The Junior Premier Indoor League is an invitation only event. All club teams  in each Division were identified and invited to participate based on performance at the 2015 National Indoor Tournament (NIT) or based on performance at the 2015 Junior Premier Indoor League (JPIL), in accordance with our Invitation Criteria.

Participation in this Junior Premier Indoor League provides athletes and coaches with a high level of competition on a regular basis, preparing all for success at the National Indoor Tournament Qualifiers, National Indoor Tournaments and, for a few, international competition.

Complete details of the schedule, directions and other information can be found on our web site at JPIL.net or JuniorPremierHockey.com.

Club teams interested in participating in any of the Junior Premier Hockey Leagues (JPIL / JPOL) in the future should visit the  web site or contact Rachael Bloemker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Nigel Traverso at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Companies and individuals wishing to be sponsors or supporters of this great event or any of our other Junior Premier Hockey events can contact us directly or visit our website, JuniorPremierHockey.com/sponsors/ for additional details.

We hope to see you all this weekend and may the best club teams win!

Good luck to all participants!

Content Courtesy of Junior Premier Hockey

USFHA media release



USA Field Hockey Announces 2nd Annual Summer Bash at the Beach

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Field Hockey is excited to announce that registration is open for the Summer Bash at the Beach, occurring July 22-24, 2016 in Virginia Beach, Va. at the Virginia Beach National Training Center. In its second year, the Summer Bash at the Beach tournament is looking to be bigger and better than the first year.

USA Field Hockey has formatted the tournament to consist of a U-14 Girls Division as well as U-10 Co-Ed Division and U-12 Co-Ed Division. All teams are guaranteed six games lasting 25 minutes long with two 12 and a half minute halves. The matches will be 7 v 7 with a maximum roster size of 12 athletes. Provision have been made to expand the tournament if necessary to accommodate as many USA Field Hockey club teams as possible.

Matches will be scheduled to take place at the National Training Center. The facility boasts two brand new, state-of-the-art Astroturf watered turf fields, providing the very best surfaces available in field hockey.

With hotels being in high demand during the summer months in Virginia Beach, USA Field Hockey has again teamed up with JBS Destination Solutions/The Global Housing Bureau as the official housing provider to make sure the best quality hotels are available during this time of year at the best prices available. The Summer Bash at the Beach will be Stay to Play event.

“We are very excited to once again be hosting the Summer Bash at the Beach,” said Chelsea Mitchell, USA Field Hockey Events Marketing Manager. “The teams that participated last year had a blast and we are looking forward to an even better event at an awesome location.”

Registration for the Summer Bash at the Beach will open on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at 12:00 noon MST. Teams will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. The registration cost is $750 per team and payment is due at registration.

An exclusive 10 percent off early bird registration is being offered now through Friday, February 19 to club teams that register in advance. Registration for the Summer Bash at the Beach will also be available at the Presidents' Day Showcase.

USFHA media release



Robert van der Horst - Hockey Stars 2015 men's Player of the Year


Robert van der Horst (Photo Ian MacNicol/Getty images)

Robert van der Horst has been in impressive form all season, his consistency rewarded with the title FIH Men’s Player of the Year.

It was exactly 10 years ago that van der Horst picked up the FIH award for Rising Star of the Year and like last year’s winner, Australia’s Mark Knowles, van der Horst has gone on to enjoy a stratospheric international career, including captaining his country.



While van der Horst and his team enjoyed great performances at the HWL Semi-Final in Antwerp and the HWL Final in Raipur, India, it was the final of the EuroHockey Championships in London, last August, when the Netherlands really showed what they are made of. A resounding victory over reigning champions Germany was “the highlight of my career so far,” said van der Horst. Although, with that sort of form, there might be an even greater moment awaiting the 31-year-old in Rio this year.

FIH site



David Harte - Hockey Stars 2015 Men's Goalkeeper of the Year



David Harte is a goalkeeper extraordinaire. His performances at the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final and the EuroHockey Championships are the stuff of legend and were pivotal to Ireland's historic year.

The Irish captain led his team to Olympic qualification for the first time in over 100 years as they qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. A few weeks later, at the EuroHockey Championships in London, Harte then helped his team win their first major international medal as they took bronze after defeating hosts England.



“To be honest it hasn't sunk in yet,” said Harte on hearing the news of this award. “I am so honoured and proud – all the more so when you consider that so many people had to take the time to vote, to whom I'm very grateful. While it is recognised as an individual award, I certainly know I would never have envisioned reaching such a level without my coaches in school and at underage level, my club Kampong in my second home Utrecht, and of course my Irish team mates, especially my twin brother Conor, and incredible coaching staff. Not to forget of course my family and friends who have been with me from the start, through the highs and the lows.”

It was probably a string of fine saves in the FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final match against Malaysia that was the seminal point of Harte’s international season last year. The keeper’s agility between the posts meant that Ireland beat Malaysia into fifth place and, with that result, kept their Olympic dreams very much alive.

“The year ahead will hopefully only be the beginning of Hockey Ireland competing at major tournaments like Olympic Games and World Cups,” added Harte. “It is a year the players, staff and whole Irish hockey community are looking forward to!”

FIH site



Former Field Hockey Canada head named one of Canada’s most influential women

Shaheed Devji


(Photo: Canadian Paralympic Commitee)

Former Field Hockey Canada chief executive Karen O’Neill has been named to the 2015 Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) Most Influential Women list.

It is the second straight year that O’Neill, currently the CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, has been named to the list.

“It is a great honour to be named to the Most Influential Women List for the second year in a row, in the company of so many accomplished sport leaders,” she says. “Even more exciting though, is the continued advancement of the Paralympic movement, as evidenced by the strong Paralympic presence on the list.

“I’d like to congratulate all who have been recognized, and I look forward to continuing to work together to help Canada become a world-leading Paralympic nation.”

O’Neill served as CEO of Field Hockey Canada from 2009-2013 before taking the helm of the Paralympic Committee.

According to the CAAWS, the women included on the list “are demonstrating their influence from coast to coast and from provincial to international levels in all roles of sport and physical activity” and have made a significant impact in their respective areas.

O’Neill is joined by the likes of Canadian Olympic Committee President Tricia Smith, longtime Canadian Olympian and current International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission member Haley Wickenheiser, and Basketball Canada CEO Michelle O’Keefe.

Field Hockey Canada media release



India hockey captain Sardar Singh accused of sexual harassment by fiancée

NEW DELHI: A British woman has reportedly filed a written complaint against India hockey captain Sardar Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment.

She has accused that the veteran midfielder "mentally, physically and emotionally tortured" her.

The 21-year-old, in a startling revelation, has also claimed that Sardar, whom she met during the London Olympics in 2012 and has been engaged to him for the past four years, also forced her to abort their child in 2015.

"I met him during the London Olympics and we got to know each other better after that. We got engaged but in 2015 I got pregnant. He told me to abort the child, which I did against my wishes and without getting support from anyone," The Indian Express quoted her as saying on Wednesday.

The Ludhiana Police Commissioner P S Umranangal said that, though, a written complaint has been filed but they haven't registered an FIR.

"...complaint is being verified. The woman has alleged sexual harassment and filed a written complaint against national hockey captain Sardar Singh. The maternal family of the player lives near Bhaini Sahib and the woman has alleged that they met during visits to this religious sect guru. FIR has not been registered as investigation is going on," he said.

The woman said that Sardar ignored, abandoned her following the abortion and refused to get married to her. "He has been ignoring me and has refused to marry me after that incident. He has harassed me emotionally, physically and mentally," she said.

Sardar is currently playing for the Punjab Warriors in the ongoing Hockey India League.

The Times of India



Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh's girlfriend alleges sexual assault, complaint filed


Sardar Singh (Getty Images)

In what could become a massive controversy, Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh has been accused by his long-time girlfriend of 'attempt to rape' in a complaint filed at a police station in Ludhiana,

In what could become a massive controversy, Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh has been accused by his long-time girlfriend of 'attempt to rape' in a complaint filed at a police station in Ludhiana,

The girl, who also claims to be Sardar's fiancee, has also accused Sardar of 'blackmail, mental harassment and physical harassment,' reported IBNLive.

The girl, an Indian origin Britisher who is a hockey player as well in the UK and met Sardar during the 2012 London Olympics. She filed a complaint on February 1 at the Kum Kalan Police Station in the Ludhiana city.

In her complained, the girl also alleged that Sardar got her pregnant and she later got an abortion done upon his insistence, stating, they got engaged but later he refused to marry her, reported Hindustan Times.

A formal complaint in the case would be registered following a preliminary investigation.

She is reportedly flying back to the UK after filing the complaint and says her family is with her in the steps she has taken against Sardar, said report.

"The British High Commission advised me to go to India and take up the case. My parents are in the UK. They are supporting me and are always there with me," said a report quoting her.

She added that she had called police at India’s team hotel during the World Hockey League in Antwerp last year, when Sardar allegedly assaulted her.

DNA



Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh's girlfriend files complaint against him


Sardar Singh (Getty Images)

Sardar's girlfriend, a British citizen and a hockey player herself, filed a complaint at the Koom Kalan police station at Sri Bhaini Shaib in Ludhiana on Tuesday against India skipper Sardar Singh.

In what could become a massive controversy, Indian hockey captain, Sardar Singh has been accused of cheating his long time girlfriend, reports Hindustan Times.

The woman, a British citizen and a hockey player herself filed a complaint at the Koom Kalan police station at Sri Bhaini Shaib in Ludhiana on Tuesday against the Indian skipper Sardar Singh alleging he had backed out of their relationship and was now refusing to marry her.

In her complaint, the victim alleged that Sardar had a physical relationship with her, following which she got pregnant. Later, on Sardar’s insistence, the complainant said she had an abortion. She also said that after refusing to marry her, Sardar had stopped taking her phone calls.

The complainant, who is a British resident of Leeds, met the India stick wizard during the 2012 London Olympics and got engaged in August 2015. She had also visited Sardar’s village Sant Nagar in Sirsa last year. She also joined the Indian team during their 2015 European tour.

Sub-Inspector Surjit Singh Nagra, SHO at police station Koom Kalan, confirmed the complaint had been filed, but said that the police would register a case only after verifying facts. If the accusations turn out to be true, then it will be a huge blow to the Indian team ahead of the Rio Olympics.

DNA



Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh denies he sexually assaulted girlfriend


Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh (Getty Images)

"I will speak to my lawyer about the issue. My focus is on Rio Games," Sardar said.

Indian hockey captain Sardar Singh, who has been accused by his long-time girlfriend of 'attempt to rape' in a complaint filed at a police station in Ludhiana, has denied the charges.

The girl, who also claims to be Sardar's fiancee, has also accused Sardar of 'blackmail, mental harassment and physical harassment,' reported IBNLive.

Sardar, who is currently playing for Punjab Warriors in the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL), has denied assault reports, says NDTV.

"I know her, but it's wrong to say that I have assaulted her. I am sad to hear about such a thing." Sardar said to the channel. The veteran midfielder said he is 'focused on Rio Olympics and will take legal recourse'.

"I will speak to my lawyer about the issue. My focus is on Rio Games," Sardar said.

The girl, an Indian origin Britisher who is a hockey player as well in the UK and met Sardar during the 2012 London Olympics. She filed a complaint on February 1 at the Kum Kalan Police Station in the Ludhiana city.

In her complained, the girl also alleged that Sardar got her pregnant and she later got an abortion done upon his insistence, stating, they got engaged but later he refused to marry her, reported Hindustan Times.

A formal complaint in the case would be registered following a preliminary investigation.

She is reportedly flying back to the UK after filing the complaint and says her family is with her in the steps she has taken against Sardar, said report.

"The British High Commission advised me to go to India and take up the case. My parents are in the UK. They are supporting me and are always there with me," said a report quoting her.

She added that she had called police at India’s team hotel during the World Hockey League in Antwerp last year, when Sardar allegedly assaulted her.

DNA



Under-fire India hockey captain Sardar Singh denies sexual harassment charges

Under-fire India captain Sardar Singh has issued a denial of sexual harassment charges brought against him by a British hockey player of Indian origin who filed a police complaint in Ludhiana.

According to reports, the British citizen, a resident of Leeds who was also the first Sikh player in the Britain under-19 women’s hockey team, went to the Koom Kalan police station in Ludhiana on Tuesday against Singh, alleging that he had backed out of a relationship, forced her to abort their child and is now refusing to marry her.

Sardar, who is currently playing for Punjab Warriors in the ongoing Hockey India League, has denied assault reports, says NDTV.

"I know her, but it's wrong to say that I have assaulted her. I am sad to hear about such a thing." Sardar was quoted, as saying. The veteran midfielder said he is focused on Rio Olympics and will take legal recourse.

“I will speak to my lawyer about the issue. My focus is on Rio Games," Sardar said.

A report in Indian Express says the 21-year-old, in her written complaint to the police, claimed that she has been engaged to the Indian captain for the past four years and alleged that he “mentally, physically and emotionally tortured” her.

She also alleged that Sardar forced her to abort their child last year against her wishes.

SS Nagra, in charge of the Koom Kalan police station, confirmed that the matter was under investigation.

“The woman has alleged sexual harassment and filed a written complaint against national hockey captain Sardar Singh. The maternal family of the player lives near Bhaini Sahib and the woman has alleged that they met during visits to this religious sect guru. FIR has not been registered as investigation is going on,” Ludhiana Police Commissioner P S Umranangal, said adding that a “complaint is being verified” and no FIR has been registered.

The British hockey player, who has roots in Sirsa, reportedly met Sardar during the London Olympics in 2012 and has been engaged to him for the past four years.

"I met him during the London Olympics and we got to know each other better after that. We got engaged but in 2015 I got pregnant. He told me to abort the child, which I did against my wishes and without getting support from anyone," The Indian Express quoted her as saying on Wednesday.

The British resident said that Sardar “ignored and abandoned” her following the abortion and refused to get married.

"He has been ignoring me and has refused to marry me after that incident. He has harassed me emotionally, physically and mentally," she said.

The player, who was born in England and became the first British Asian woman to represent England in 2010 as part of junior women's hockey team, plays in the Investec Women's Premier League for Beeston club, said a report.

She said she had called police at India’s team hotel during the World Hockey League in Antwerp last year when Sardar allegedly assaulted her. “I have filed a complaint and hope I will get justice,” she said, according to the Indian Express report.

Firstpost Sports

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