Basketball Federation of India slaps 1-year ban on errant duo

Amjyot Singh is one of the big names in Indian basketball, but the star has also earned a bad name for himself and it has cost him big this time.

Palpreet Singh

BENGALURU: Amjyot Singh is one of the big names in Indian basketball, but the star has also earned a bad name for himself and it has cost him big this time. The player has been suspended for a year by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) for flouting disciplinary norms. His India teammate Palpreet Singh has also been handed the same punishment for a similar offence.

Both Amjyot and Palpreet have played in the NBA G league in the US. "They have been suspended for one year by the BFI for misbehaviour and indiscipline. Palpreet (for his behaviour) before the Asian Qualifiers camp and Amjyot during the Commonwealth Games," BFI secretary general Chander Mukhi Sharma told Express.

Amjyot Singh

It has been learnt that Amjyot's conduct at the CWG held in April in Gold Coast was not satisfactory. There are allegations that he even slapped a teammate. He had been a regular in the Indian team in the recent past. The 26-year-old Palpreet was a part of the team before the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in February. His name was struck off the roster before the competition. It can be noted that India could not win a single match in the qualifiers and the CWG. The team included players like Satnam Singh, Yadwinder SIngh and Amjyot.

The BFI secretary general felt these acts of indiscipline had an impact on the performance of the team in Gold Coast. With Amjyot having abused the coach and also raised hands against a player, the BFI was left with no choice but to act tough.

"If players abuse the coach and slap a colleague, you cannot expect anything but a suspension. Because of his behaviour, performance of the other players was also affected. This is not the first time. It’s Amjyot’s fourth incident. He misbehaved with a player and slapped Aspreet Bhullar at Gold Coast before a game. This has become a habitual thing. We had counselled both of them in the past as well," said Sharma.

India coach Rajinder Singh, after being contacted, refused to speak on the matter.

ashim.sunam@newindianexpress.com