Stung by the players’ boycott of the national camp, Hockey India today threatened to take “strict action” against them for their “gross act of indiscipline”.

In a letter mailed to chief coach Jose Brasa and coach Harendra Singh, Hockey India president A K Mattoo said it was a matter of great regret that instead of waiting for the outcome of tomorrow’s meeting, the players “maligned us”.

Mattoo’s letter, circulated in the media here, had him saying “I and my colleagues sympathise their (players) request and would do all that is possible for us in given circumstances. But abstaining from training is a gross act of indiscipline. Hockey India would not hesitate in taking a strict action against players for this violation.”
The players are staying away from the World Cup preparatory camp here in protest against non-payment of their dues.

Stating that he was looking forward to meeting the players tomorrow, Mattoo asked the two coaches to advise the players once again to continue with training