New Delhi: Following a complaint from another participating team in the 4th Hockey Sub-Junior National Men Championship 2014 (Division A), being played in Ranchi (Jharkhand), some players of Haryana were found to be over-aged and did not meet the criteria of the championship. Hockey India post this complaint, conducted independent medical tests and found six players not meeting the age bracket, because of which they were immediately disqualified to appear in further matches in the Championship.

According to the decisive factor to qualify for the Sub-Junior’s team, a player should be born on or after 1st January 1998. A total of 8 players went under the scanner to undergo the independent medical test conducted by Hockey India and found 6 of them guilty.

Speaking on the incident, Mariamma Koshy, President Hockey India said, “It is highly discomforting to see these youngsters taking the wrong route. Hockey India has a no-tolerance level for such unpleasant incidents and the team manager has been told to ensure the return of these six players back to their state, immediately. This shall come as an example for others and hope no such occurrence will be witnessed in future.”

The matter will be investigated by the Hockey India Disciplinary/Disputes Committee (Athletes and Members) for further review and action.