Kalmadi disburses Rs 1cr to hockey players and coaches

PUNE: As promised after their shocking revolt, 22 Indian hockey players and support staff, including coaches, were on Monday handed their payments adding up to Rs one crore by IOA President Suresh Kalmadi at the World Cup preparatory camp here.

The cheques with varying individual payments were distributed by the Indian Olympic Association chief, who was accompanied by Hockey India adviser Anupam Gulati.

A crisis situation had developed on January 8 when the players refused to train at the camp insisting on advance payment of their dues from HI.

After failure of their talks with HI authorities, Kalmadi had successfully mediated to bring the players back on the field even as team sponsors Sahara India announced a release of Rs one crore for the striking campers.

Kalmadi on Monday assured players that “more funds will flow and money would not be a constraint” for hockey players and urged them to focus on their World Cup campaign starting next month.

He also said there would not be any difference in terms of payments between hockey and cricket players. A two minute silence was also observed by the players to pay homage to departed Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu.