Hockey revolt reaches flashpoint

HARPREET KAUR LAMBA

NEW DELHI

The growing animosity over the non-payment of sponsorship money between the Indian hockey players and the national federation continued with the 22-member World Cup squad refusing to train for the fourth day in succession at the national camp in Pune on Monday.

Angered by the players’ stand of “no pay, no practice”, Hockey India, it is learnt, has hardened its stance. A six-member team headed by HI president A.K. Mattoo and comprising treasurer Narinder Batra, technical director Jagbir Singh, International Hockey Federation (FIH) vice-president Antonio van Ondarza, Hockey India vice-pesident Rajiv Mehta and IOA official Harish Sharma will head to Pune on Tuesday to hold “open talks with the players”.

Said an HI official, “The first and foremost agenda is that of a dialogue. We showed our accounts to the players on Saturday and do not have the money to pay them at present. The World Cup is hardly six weeks away and the players should concentrate on training.”

HI president Mattoo said “throwing out the players was not an option”, but the official didn’t hesitate to add, “If the players do not agree, we will give them a 24-hour deadline to either play or leave the camp. We have a second squad preparing for the SAF Games in Bhopal, they can replace the team if needed.”

Hockey India’s hardened stand gained weight after support from FIH vicepresident Ondarza, who suggested that “the players should be banned if they refuse to budge”.

“The World Cup is at India’s doorstep. India has been a traditional hockey nation and for a player wearing the India shirt should be his priority. I have never heard of such a thing in world hockey. I would say perform and then ask for money,” Ondarza said.

The players, on their part, said Hockey India’s pressure tactics would not change their stance. “The officials can throw us out if they want. Our demands are justified and there is no way we are going to relent under pressure. Even the junior team is ready to revolt,” said a senior member.

The World Cup is barely six weeks away and the players are well aware of the stakes involved. Tuesday’s meeting could well be make or break.

“For years the administrators have only thought about themselves. Players were changed, dropped, careers were ruined, but enough is enough. Suddenly, there is this talk of lack of passion for the country. For years we have given our sweat and blood for the country. There are players in this squad who chose to play for India rather than attend their fathers’ funerals, which is the ultimate sacrifice.
So, what commitment are these officials talking about,” one of the players said.

“We at least get paid by our employers, but there are two players in the current squad who do not even have jobs. They cannot meet their families’ day-to-day needs. Is anyone thinking about their futures? If we have raised our voices for this, can we be deemed selfish,” the player asked.

The players went on indefinite strike in Pune on Friday. They are demanding a graded payment system and incentives for performances, besides a share in the sponsorship money.