Pillay appeals to Maken for help in conducting WSH

NEW DELHI: Former hockey star Dhanraj Pillay on Friday sought sports minister Ajay Maken’s help in conducting a hassle free World Series Hockey, which has ran into trouble due to players pull out.

As many as 12 Indian players have withdrawn from the league to be part of the national camp for Olympic Qualifiers, after committing to play in it.

Pillay alleged that it is Hockey India which is bullying the players and not letting them play in the WSH although the players are keen to feature in the lucrative league.

“I firmly believe that the players have pulled out due to pressure put on them by Hockey India. I would request sports minister to help in organisation of the league,” Pillay told reporters.

“I also want HI secretary Narinder Batra to understand that this league is for the betterment of the players so they should not create troubles in its way,” he said.

Pillay is coming to back to game as he has signed up with Karnataka Lions for the WSH.

“When I was at the peak of my career, I was called poster boy of the Indian hockey. Even then I had never signed a hefty contract of Rs 20-25 lakh. This league is offering the players good money, what is the problem of Hockey India, which wanted to give just Rs 25,000 for team’s win in Asian Champions Trophy,” he asked.

Pillay also contended that this league wil help players prepare better for the Olympic Qualifiers.

“Good player never get tired after playing standard hockey. Instead they feel fit and in form. If people such as Jose Brasa and Roelt Oltmans feel that this league will help players then are these officials more knowledgeable than them.

“This league will change Indian hockey the way IPL did it for cricket,” he said.

Pillay was as the coach of the Air India, which has moved to final of the Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament.

Air India on Friday beat IOC 3-1 to set up the final against ONGC, which edged past BPCL 4-3 in the other semifinal.