Monday was the hectic day in Indian hockey, all off the field. FIH Observer was here, lot of hockey political development including postponement of election, player going back to strike and all that. Below is the whole day’s honest Round Up.

Generosity: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister ready to bear Players’ Demand: Speaking ‘Live’ on IBN 7 television channel, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister told that he had asked his sports department people to work out the total demand of players so that the problem of incentives and payments could once for all settled from his States’ coffers. Now only the Hockey India officials should take interest and follow it up, in case they are genuinely intersted in making payment to players and they could not do so for want funds at their disposals.

Players’ Strike Mess: With two rounds of talk between Hockey India and top players attending the national camp in Pune, failing to end the stalemate, another round of talk is expected to take place tomorrow, in Pune.

If top official of Sports Authority of India (SAI) is to be believed, the officials of Hockey India are expected to arrive in Pune from Delhi to discuss the issue of cash incentives and other demands players had raised recently.

Despite players boycotting training session today, says, SAI officials, they are staying at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune. “Since the camp has not been called off, the players will continue to stay within the complex,” the official said.

On Saturday, after the second round of talk between Hockey India and top players in the Capital, things were amicably settled and players had agreed to resume training. But players U-turn when they reached Pune, and stick to their demands, saying cash incentives should be paid as early as possible, and will return to training only when their demands are met.

Although players continued to boycott the national camp Hockey India talked about taking disciplinary action against the players, but yet to move ahead in that direction.

Antonio to Hockey Players of India: International Hockey Federation (FIH) vice president Antonio van Ondarza, who is FIH appointed observer for the upcoming elections of Hockey India, today expressed his concern over the players-Hockey India row that has disrupted training for the upcoming World Cup.

Terming the players’ boycott of the national camp as not the right thing at this moment, Antonio said, hockey is not like billon dollars game like FIFA run soccer across the globe. Players shouldn‘t have gone on strike for money. Money should be the last thing on the mind of the players preparing for the world cup,” he said.

Ontonio who is in the Capital to take stock of the situation for the Hockey India elections, said FIH wants Indian hockey to be on the global sphere, winning major tournaments. “India should take advantage of the World Cup being held on the home soil, and should try to improve its position in the global meet,” said Antonio, adding that the main concern of the players, says Antonio, at this moment should be wearing national jersey, and not fighting for money.
Former skipper of the country Ajitpal Singh was also perplexed as to why the players U-turn after agreeing to all the issues on Saturday. “What made the players change their minds after they reached Pune, it is any body guess,” he said.

Even Pargat Singh, who has also captained the country on several occasion in the internationals tournaments including Olympics, said that players had been fighting for their dues even during his days, but playing for country is always a great honour.

Hockey India election Mess: Meanwhile, dates of the election to elect new body of Hockey India has been changed to February 7, from January 29. According to Hockey India president, a notice period of 21-days is required before the elections. With govt observer SK Mendiratta busy between February 2 to 6, it was decided to hold elections on February 7.

Sordid Drama of Affiliation: Regarding affiliation, both Hockey Punjab and Delhi has been given green signal by Hockey India. Today Antonio who had a hectic day, meeting officials of the Hockey India, didn’t divulge in the details of his meeting, saying it was a satisfying day. “Things are on track regarding elections of Hockey India,”: he said.

AK Mattoo Mr. Cool: Despite provacation by the section of media which raked up disciplinary action on players, and trying to put words into his mouth, Hockey India interim president AK Mattoo said categorically many television channels that he did not want to set a bad precedent by going for this option. He only said, ‘the players have been misled.’