PU Core Committee recommends lifting of ban

“We wanted to check indiscipline at that level. A sportsperson must play for the college/university if admitted under the sports category.

They (five players) had given an affidavit at the time of admission, saying that they would be available for the college/university, whenever required. Since they have apologised now and promised not to repeat this in future, we feel that they should be given another chance,” said Kewal Singh.

It might be recalled that the Sports Department of the university had banned the players for two years each, earlier this year.

Among the five were three cricketers (two from the local DAV College, one from PU Campus), one cyclist (PUC) and a wrestler (SD College).

Whereas two cricketers — Ravinder Nain and Yuvraj Singh — were `guilty’ of leaving the team mid-way for their other cricket commitments, though they had the permission of team manager, one — Preet Mohan Singh — did not appear for the trials due to his mid-semester exams. Both, the cyclist — Manu Aul — and the wrestler — Sher Sikander — did not accompany their respective teams for inter-varsity meets.

However, due to strong resentment within the Executive Committee, a core committee was formed to go into the details and recommend whatever action to be taken. The `banned’ sportspersons were asked to appear before the committee. Antar Atam Singh, PU cricket team’s coach was also present in the meeting.

“We pleaded our case and requested them to give us another chance. We know we ought to have played all the inter-varsity matches but our u-19 inter-zones were very important for us as the Indian team for the Youth World Cup in South Africa was to be selected during the meet. We are happy that the authorites have listened to our cases and we will not let them down at any stage,” felt Yuvraj and Nain.

“I could not go owing to somebody’s ilness in the family. Otherwise I would have definitely gone and participated,” said Manu Aul, who had been winning gold medals for the university all along.

Today’s meeting, ironically, co-incided with sports trials of PU Campus for the new session (1998-99).

“We want to set a healthy tradition. For all those seeking admission under the sports category, university’s commitments must be honoured. If there is any problem, they (sportspersons) can come to us and seek our guidance,” felt Iqbal Nath.

According to Kewal Singh, the Executive Committee is expected to meet and announce it’s decision shortly, probably after admissions to colleges and the university.

Hockey meet the Second edition of the Independence Gold Cup sub-junior hockey tournament for under-14 boys for Northern states will be held from July 25 to August 1 at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium, under the aegis of Sports Authority of India (SAI). Top two teams each from five participating states Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh will vie for top honours.

The winner and runners-up in the meet will take part in the National level competition slated to be held at New Delhi from August 6 to 14.

The matches will be played as per Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) rules. Players born on or after January 1, 1985 are eligible for the meet.

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