Pillay happy to see players unity

Pune, January 13

After playing an important role in brokering the truce between Hockey India and the striking campers, former captain Dhanraj Pillay feels the positive thing which came out of the entire episode is the unity among the players. The five-day long crisis was today resolved after Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, in presence of Pillay, brokered a compromise deal wherein the striking players were promised an immediate disbursement of Rs one crore, offered by team sponsor Sahara.

“I am very happy that a solution has been reached and the players are returning to training tomorrow. I am also happy that their legitimate demands were being met. I think every player understood that they have to prepare for the World Cup,” Pillay told reporters here today.

“I am happy as a player this is the first time all the 22 players came together and fought for their right and future generation,” he said. The former striker said Kalmadi’s assurance was more than enough for the players, who have stalled the World Cup preparatory camp here in protest against the delay in payment of their pending financial dues and incentives.

“What the players wanted was some assurance and Mr Kalmadi ensured them that they will talk to the Hockey India people and distribute the Rs one crore offered by Sahara among the players as soon as possible,” Pillay said. “Mr Kalmadi also assured them that their other demands will be put before the new Hockey India, set to be elected on February 7.”

Meanwhile, relieved after the deadlock with the federation ended in an amicable solution, the Indian hockey players today vowed to put up a united front in the forthcoming World Cup which gets underway here next month. India goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza said the players are a much relieved lot after a peace was brokered today between two warring parties and now they can completely focus their attention on the preparations for the World Cup to be held in the national capital from February 28-March 13.

“We are relived today. We were happy that everything has been settled and now we can concentrate on our preparations for the World Cup,” D’Souza said Pune. “Our unity was our main weapon in this fight. Every single player of the squad was behind each other and I am happy to say that we still are a united lot. I hope we will carry forward this unity on the field.”

“World Cup is a battle and unity is necessary to win any battle. You will definitely witness this unity during the World Cup,” he said. D’Souza said the IOA chief’s word of mouth was big enough assurance for them to call off the five-day long strike and resume training from tomorrow. D’Souza’s Team India mate Prabhjot Singh agreed with him and said the players are determined to put up an impressive show as a unit during the megaevent. “We are feeling really good and I am happy that everything has been sorted out early,” Prabhjot said. “We were always united. And this unity is a good sign for the World Cup. Our proposals have met and the boys are pumped up to give their best in the World Cup.” — PTI