Sandeep pulls out of B'lore camp, produces health certificate

Chennai, Jan 14 (UNI) Drag flicker Sandeep Singh has submitted a medical certificate to Indian Hockey Federation(IHF) and would not be available for the five test series against Belgium to be held here from January 25 as part of the squad's preparation for the pre Olympic tournament, according to IHF secretary K Jothikumaran.

Sandeep, who was back in action after his recovery from a serious injury, was included in the training camp which the squad was undergoing at SAI in Bangalore. This was in the wake of his good performance in the just concluded Professional Hockey League(PHL) in Chandigarh.

However, he failed to report for the camp at Bangalore and had intimated the IHF that he had been suffering from fever.

Mr Jothikumaran said the coaches were asked to assess Sandeep's form in the wake of his good performance in PHL in order to take a decision whether he could be selected for the pre Olympic tournament in San Diego, Chile in March for India to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in August this year.

He said, however, following Sandeep's inability to report to the remaining period of the camp prior to the Test series against Belgium, the connudrum over his fitness and form persists.

Sandeep was injured in an incident of firing in a train in Punjab and had to go out of action for a long period, it may be recalled.

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