The avoidable controversy surrounding injured India goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh would not have happened if not for an alleged RTI request filed with the Sports Ministry.
Sreejesh’s participation in a celebrity charity match in October came under the scanner recently with some reports saying he could face a Hockey India disciplinary committee hearing and, if found guilty, face up to four months suspension. But Hockey India has categorically denied any such move for the time being.
“Only the disciplinary committee can recommend a sanction. It has not been called, no meeting has been scheduled and we have not thought about it so far. The only focus is the ongoing tournament,” Hockey India’s official spokesperson said.
Apparently, the RTI was filed with the Ministry seeking expense details on players by the Sports Authority of India and why India players were appearing in celebrity games but not available for national duty.
The application came down the chain to HI with the federation still unsure on how to go about it. Sreejesh is undergoing rehabilitation at the SAI camp hoping to get fit in time for the Commonwealth Games.
HI’s own mail seeking an explanation was replied to by Sreejesh, who has never had a disciplinary issue again him, back then itself, wherein he not only explained the reason for his participation but also apologised for not seeking formal permission and assured of not repeating it. There has been no further communication since then.
