By Mail Today Correspondent in New Delhi

Revolt against non- payment of match fees and other dues

WITH little more than a month left for the World Cup, Indian players gave Hockey India ( HI) a new problem by threatening to boycott the preparatory camp in Pune, alleging non- payment of dues.

The revolting players, led by captain Rajpal Singh, claim they have not been paid sponsorship money, match fees as well as bonus.

“ The players met on Thursday evening and decided that they would boycott the camp until the matter is sorted out,” Rajpal said.

“ Earlier we used to be paid after every tournament but it is not the case now. We had reminded the HI officials a few times, but nothing has been done.” Hockey India has called a meeting with national coach Harendra Singh and a few senior players in the Capital on Saturday. Friday and Saturday were rest days for the campers. “ After today’s rest day, players would meet Hockey India president AK Mattoo tomorrow in Delhi,” said Harendra.

Though the players had written to Mattoo over non- payment of dues, the letter did not contain any threat of a boycott. Sources said the players were not paid sponsorship money for any of the matches they played since the formation of the ad hoc Hockey India. They also want a bonus for the bronze- medal finish at last month’s Champions Challenge in Salta, Argentina.

Later, Mattoo said that the issue would take some time before getting resolved.

“ I do not have a magic wand.

We are looking into the matter and if there is a commitment on our part, we will definitely make the payment,” he had told MAIL TODAY on Wednesday.

Apart from Harendra, Rajpal, Sardara Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Sandeep Singh, Tushar Khandekar and Arjun Halappa will also meet Mattoo in an attempt to resolve the matter.

“ Let me understand what exactly they want. Only after hearing them out will I be in a position to think of remedial measures,” Mattoo said, adding, “ There are some whispers that a revolt is brewing and that’s why I want to hear them out personally.” Rajpal said the players were forced to take such a step because Hockey India did not care for them.

“ Hockey India does not care for the players, it is very sad. The sponsors are paying the money, but the players don’t get anything,” he said.

Although the players claimed that they had given Hockey India time till January 8 to resolve the issue, Mattoo said no such deadline was given to them. “ There was no mention of the deadline in the letter. Above all, they are national players. They should not have threatened us,” he said.

Harendra had no clue what the demands of the players were.

“ There is nothing pending as such. No match fees was paid to us previously as the players were drawing salaries from their institutions,” he told MAIL T ODAY . “ Payments were made as goodwill gestures only. It was the sponsors who paid the players Rs 25,000 each till the 2004 Athens Olympics.” The national body had been in a legal wrangle with the sponsors, Sahara India Parivar, and the issue had resolved only a couple of months back. “ We don’t know the verdict in that case. Only when we are in the know can we decide about the players’ share in the sponsorship money,” Harendra said.

The coach expressed his disappointment on the turn the issue had taken.

“ I myself had read out Mattoo’s letter to the players in which he called me and the senior players to discuss the issue on Saturday.

I can’t say what they decided afterwards, but I’m very disheartened with the developments,” said Harendra.

The revolt is a blow to the preparations of the team for the World Cup to be staged here from February 28 to March 13.

With the best teams in the world vying for the coveted prize, the Indian hockey fraternity can do without such infighting, which could seriously hamper the team’s chances at the showpiece event.