After a farcical ban, Sreejesh to join national camp

After serving an absurd 15-day ban, India's ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will join the ongoing 33-member national camp in Bengaluru from Saturday.

Hockey India's disciplinary committee on Thursday had announced a 15-day ban on Sreejesh for taking part in the Celebrity Charity Football Match in Mumbai last year without seeking the permission of the governing body. However, a release from Hockey India stated that the said ban was set to end on January 5, a day after the team regrouped following the Hockey World League Final last month.

"Though Sreejesh was not part of the national team during this period, the goalkeeper was undergoing rehabilitation for a serious knee injury sustained during the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament in May, 2017," the HI release stated.

"His decision of playing in the football match breaches Hockey India's Code of Conduct for players and hence was handed a 15-day suspension which ends on 5 January 2018. He has also been reprimanded with a 12-month probation where he needs to ensure he abides by the Hockey India Code of Conduct."

Since his surgery in June, the custodian had been in rehabilitation. He was also exempted from the World League Final keeping in mind the cramped 2018 schedule that includes Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Cup.

On Wednesday, he was selected for the 10-day national camp before the team begins its season with the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in New Zealand.