Mattoo relieved hockey row over

By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi

INDIAN Olympic Association ( IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi and former captain Dhanraj Pillay might have got all the credit for resolving the pay dispute with the players, but Hockey India chief AK Mattoo is not complaining.

The players had boycotted the camp to protest against the delay in the payment of their dues and incentives and it was only after Kalmadi and Pillay intervened that they resumed training on Thursday.

Hockey India had faced some flak for involving International Hockey Federation ( FIH) vicepresident Antonio von Ondarza in his negotiation with the players, but Mattoo saw nothing wrong in that.

“ The FIH vice- president knows how these disputes are managed worldwide. He has the insight and the experience in this regard. We have no expertise in these matters,” Mattoo told M AIL T ODAY on Thursday.

“ Ondarza just told the players that they should concentrate on their training and we would work out a solution.” Mattoo also does not believe that Kalmadi did anything wrong in bypassing the federation in reaching a deal with the players on strike.

“ It’s good that the IOA president intervened to end the crisis and convinced the players to resume training. He did the right thing and it is important that the issue is resolved,” Mattoo said.

The money that the players were demanding is supposed to come from the Rs one crore released by Sahara to resolve the crisis, but Mattoo is not sure yet how the sum will be distributed.

“ I was not present when the agreement was reached so I don’t know what was discussed there. I haven’t made any commitment as we are only an adhoc body so I can’t decide how to spend the money.

“ We have got the cheque from Sahara but once Mr Kalmadi returns, we will know what formula was devised. Only then will we know when to make the payment and whether the women and juniors will get any part of it,” Mattoo said.

“ I don’t even know whether it is just a one- time payment from the sponsors. We have to confirm these details also.” The players have said they have been assured their dues will be cleared in a week’s time.

On Tuesday, when Mattoo had threatened to field a second- string squad at the World Cup, the juniors had announced that they will not play if the seniors are punished.

With the crisis resolved, Mattoo is not willing to get into another confrontation.

“ There is no reason to punish anyone now. The crisis is over and it’s time to move on.” When the pay dispute came to light, several state governments, corporates and celebrities came forward to announce their financial support, but Mattoo said he had seen no money.

“ Nobody has actually given any money as yet. Only Bajaj Allianz contacted us saying they were willing to be the title sponsors of the team. We told them we already have a legallybinding contract with Sahara and can’t take up their offer.

But if they want to make a donation, we are more than happy to accept.

“ I’m sure there will be more financial offers in the pipeline,” the Hockey India president signed off.