Hockey players strike fiscal goal, to rejoin camp
Pune, January 13
The biggest crisis to hit Indian hockey was today resolved after a compromise deal was worked out between the game’s administrators and the striking players who have been promised an immediate disbursement of Rs 1 crore.
Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi brokered a deal that envisaged a long-term plan to meet the players’ financial demands, which convinced the players to rejoin the camp — stalled for the last five days due to the payment dispute.
Kalmadi, who flew in here this morning to negotiate with the protesting players, said a full settlement had been reached (with the protesting players) but did not clearly specify how he intended to meet all the demands. “Hockey has been our national game. It can never be a national shame. It will be our national pride. The players all feel that they want to bring up Indian hockey. I assured them of full support,” Kalmadi told a press conference after his meeting with the players.
Also Chairman of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Kalmadi said the Rs 1 crore given by sponsors Sahara India would be disbursed among the players within a week and all other issues would be settled in due course of time. The settlement of the crisis, which has been dogging Indian hockey for some time, paves way for the players to rejoin the World Cup preparatory camp from tomorrow.
The players, who were till yesterday insisting on a written assurance from Hockey India that all their demands would be met, decided to withdraw the strike on only a verbal assurance from Kalmadi. The settlement evoked a sense of relief in the hockey fraternity with former players and administrators welcoming the development, which would now allow the players to focus on the February 28-March 13 World Cup in Delhi.
Kalmadi also said a Players’ Welfare Development Fund would be created and former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay, who played a key role in resolving the crisis, had been put in its charge. He also made it clear that no player will be targeted in future for boycotting the camp. “No player will be targeted. They have done it within the decorum. I will also tell the next HI president to agree to the players’ demand,” he said.
He said various state governments like Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh had promised financial support to the players, while some other corporate houses had also assured monetary help. “In view of all this, we have also decided to form another committee to look into the finances. This committee will be chaired by Hockey India president and will also include representatives from the IOA and players like Zafar Iqbal, Ajit Pal Singh, MP Ganesh and Pillay,” he said. — PTI