President Sikh Progressive Front (SPF), Balvinder Singh while addessing media persons strongly condemned the arbitrary and undue action of Hockey India by suspending all participating teams and officials who recently took part in ‘Sarbat Da Bhalaa’ Hockey Tournament organized by Sikh Progressive front from October 20 to October 26, 2019 at Jammu. He was flanked by Manjit Singh, Rajinder Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Beant Singh, Iqbal Singh and Sharanjit Singh during the Press Conference. “The tournament was organised to celebrate the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji,” Balvinder said. He further said besides few local teams, some reputed teams from Punjab and officials from Punjab and Haryana who were devoted to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji participated in the said tournament as a mark of respect and didn’t involve in any financial transaction. “Instead of extending their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the Tournament Hockey India took a harsh decision and banned all the participating teams and officials from Jammu as well as from the neighbouring State of Punjab and debarred them for participating in any hockey event for three to six months with effect from December 10, 2019,” Balvinder added. “This act of Hockey India is unwanted and arbitrary and against the promotion of Hockey,” Mr Singh said and added that this was one time tournament dedicated to 550th Birth Anniversary of First Sikh Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was not a National or All India Tournament. “Besides some local teams from Jammu only teams from Punjab agreed to participate voluntary basis and free of cost,” said the organizers. President SPF along with other present their strongly condemned the action of Hockey India as well as Hockey J&K as it has not only harmed the interest of the National Game but also has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh Community as this tournament was dedicated to the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
