Senior India hockey player Gurbaj Singh was today suspended for 9 months for indulging in groupism and creating disharmony within the team. The step might shatter the experienced midfielder's dream of playing in next year's Rio Olympics. The decision to suspend Gurbaj was taken after a meeting of Hockey India's disciplinary committee headed by Harbinder Singh today with the midfielder and former India coach Jude Felix. The coach levelled the charges against Gurbaj in his report after last month's Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium. Besides Harbinder, the Hockey India disciplinary panel also include former players R P Singh, A B Subbaiah and Jasjeet Handa. Gurbaj, however, has the option to lodge an appeal with Hockey India's appellate tribunal within a month's time.