HI cannot throw us out, assert players

Mumbai, Dec. 28: A number of current India stars have signed up for the World Series Hockey, a league to be played from November 2011 to February 2012 and run by Nimbus Sports in collaboration with the Indian Hockey Federation.

The two-and-a-half month league, to be played in different cities, has already signed on current national players among many others. And 60 slots have been kept for international players.

Current ruling body Hockey India though has raised doubts about the tournament and the IHF’s plan to rope in international players, as the latter was not a body recognised by the game’s world body, the International Hockey Federation.

Said HI secretary Narinder Batra in the capital, “Playing for the national team is not a joke. If the players decide to leave the national camp (at the time of the league) and play for the IHF’s private league, we cannot help it. I hope they understand what they are doing.”

Almost 40 national players have agreed to play in the eight or 10-team league, that will be played on a home and away basis.

“Hockey India cannot stop the players from participating. Players are joining the league on their own. We haven’t forced them,” said IHF president R.K. Shetty.

The league could prove to be lucrative, as on an average a top national player can earn `30 to 40 lakhs a year in salary, team sponsorship and prize money. The purse for the final is likely to be around $1 million.

Said midfielder Sardar Singh, “HI cannot throw us out. The players will not shy away from participating in a camp or international tournament.

“Before running into speculation, let us wait for the Supreme Court to announce which is the official body, HI or the IHF,” he added.

The upcoming year is an important one for Indian hockey as the national squad is to play the Champions Trophy at home, followed by the crucial Olympic qualifiers in February 2012.