FIH thanks Sahara for breaking HI-players deadlock

MUMBAI: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Wednesday thanked Sahara India Pariwar for breaking the deadlock between the striking Indian players and the national federation (HI) by coming out with a bail out package of Rs one crore.

FIH President Leandro Negre met with the Chairman of Sahara, Subrata Roy and conveyed his thanks on the behalf of the world body for extending the helping hand at the crisis hour.

“I am delighted to meet the man who has been the pillar of strength for Indian hockey since early 2000. I have conveyed my thanks for his whole hearted voluntary support to resolve the hockey dispute between the players and Hockey India (HI) that led to stalemate activities of hockey in India,” Negre said.

Sahara, the main sponsors of Indian hockey team, came to the rescue and released an immediate sum of Rs one crore for the players after the national game slumped to one of its worst ever crisis when the 22 probables for World Cup stopped training at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune protesting against their pending financial dues and incentives.

During the meeting, both Negre and Roy discussed various issues related to the game.