Players’ revolt over payment issues ends

By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi

THE storm over Indian hockey seems to have blown over on Saturday with the players agreeing to return to training after having threatened to boycott a national camp, alleging non- payment of dues.

After a marathon day of meetings, Hockey India president AK Mattoo announced that a solution had been agreed upon, though he declined to offer any details.

He said the players will resume training in Pune from Sunday.

“ All issues have been resolved and the deadlock has been broken.

The players will return to training tomorrow,” Mattoo said.

When asked what the agreed way out was, the Hockey India chief said, “ It is between us and we will work it out. We don’t want to discuss it in the media”. “ We had a meaningful dialogue in a free atmosphere and understood their issues,” Mattoo said, adding “ it’s good that they also understood our problems.

“ We have mutually decided to move forward keeping the World Cup in mind.” The Hockey India chief said the team was targeting a high finish at the quadrennial showpiece event. “ We are aiming for a podium finish and financial matters won’t come in the way.” Rajpal Singh, who was at the forefront in airing players’ demands, also expressed satisfaction with the discussion.

“ Our job is to play and their job is to look into other issues. But it was good to have a positive faceto- face meeting and we have sorted out the issues,” he said.

Rajpal denied that the controversy will have any adverse effect on the team’s preparation for the World Cup.

“ The morale of the boys is already high and they are training as a unit. This issue will have no impact on it,” he said.

“ We will resume our training tomorrow with our focus firmly on the World Cup.” Hockey India had gone into fire- fighting mode with Mattoo calling senior players and national coach Harendra Singh to the Capital. In a day of hectic parleys, the six players — Sandeep Singh, Rajpal Singh, Sardara Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Prabhjot Singh and Arjun Halappa — as well as Harendra, had two rounds of talks with the Hockey India chief.

After the initial discussions in the afternoon, Mattoo had expressed hope that a solution will emerge after the talks.

“ The ice has been broken.

Things are under control and the issue will be resolved soon.

The players had alleged that they had not been paid match fees, sponsorship money and bonus since Hockey India came into existence.

Besides the clearance of dues, they are also demanding advance payments for future tournaments. With the World Cup to be held in the Capital starting February 28, the national game can ill- afford such controversies with the national body already in a tricky spot with regard to its elections.

The players had written to Mattoo over non- payment of dues, but the letter did not contain any threat of a boycott and Rajpal had said on Friday that the players were forced to take the step as “ Hockey India doesn’t care for the players” The ‘ boycott’ will be a setback for the World Cup preparations, but Harendra said the squad was developing well for the showpiece event.

“ Training at the Pune camp has been good and the boys have shown a lot of enthusiasm and are gelling well,” he said.

Harendra gave credit to Spanish chief coach Jose Brasa for the way in which the squad was preparing.

“ In my 10 years of coaching, I have not seen an Indian side so fit. Brasa has played a key role in improving the mental strength of the players,” he added.

Mattoo had earlier said that the players cannot dictate terms to Hockey India.

“ They can’t put a gun at my head and expect me to take a decision. I do not have a magic wand in my hand. We are looking into the matter and if there is a commitment on our part, we will definitely make the payment,” the Hockey India president had said.