India’s Chief Coach Craig Fulton addresses a press conference on the eve of the first match against China in the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey, at Rajgir, in Nalanda district, Bihar. (PTI Photo)

Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh’s exclusion from India’s core hockey probables on disciplinary grounds was strongly opposed by chief coach Craig Fulton, who even offered to resign before being convinced by Hockey India officials to stay on, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.According to the PTI report, Fulton viewed the decision to drop Manpreet from the February 1–7 camp for 33 core probables in Rourkela as “external interference”.The two-time Olympic bronze medallist was left out of the core probables for the first time in 15 years after it emerged that he had abused a recreational drug during India’s tour of South Africa in December last year.

During the meeting to finalise the list of probables, Fulton was reportedly “disturbed” when Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, secretary general Bhola Nath Singh and chief selector RP Singh jointly conveyed that Manpreet should be omitted.“Fulton argued from the point of Manpreet being a mentor to younger players. But on that, Dilip said players will learn from other seniors. A few players were unhappy with the way HI behaved with Manpreet,” a source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.An angry Fulton offered to step down a day after the Chennai leg of the recently concluded Hockey India League. However, after repeated persuasion from Tirkey, he agreed to go along with the official stand that the senior midfielder was being “rested”.The source said Fulton pushed for Manpreet’s inclusion by citing the 33-year-old’s fitness levels. Manpreet was reportedly among the top four in fitness within the core group.Despite this, Tirkey and chief selector RP Singh did not change their position.Fulton’s ‘Defend to Win’ approach places importance on structure and experience, and he has frequently spoken about Manpreet’s fitness and form during the HIL.The chief coach wants Manpreet to remain part of the plans at least until this year’s Asian Games and the World Cup. The World Cup is scheduled in August, followed by the Asian Games in September.Fulton believes Manpreet’s experience in pressure situations would be useful in both tournaments.“Let people say whatever they want but the fact is that Manpreet sought rest and had conveyed it to HI,” Bhola Nath Singh was quoted as saying PTI.Hockey India on Thursday announced the list of probables, also excluding forward Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak due to disciplinary reasons. The official statement did not specify the nature of the alleged violations.The Pro League season will begin next month in Rourkela. Manpreet had co-captained Ranchi Royals to the Hockey India League final, where he delivered strong performances.Manpreet is also one match away from equalling Dilip Tirkey’s record of 412 appearances as India’s most capped hockey player.The India leg of the FIH Pro League will be held in Rourkela from February 10 to 15, with India opening their campaign against Argentina on February 11.