Unsatisfied hockey players revolt again

By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi

A DAY after members of the national team and Hockey India gave the impression that all moneyrelated issues were resolved, the players once again raised the banner of revolt on Sunday, refusing to resume training.

Rajpal Singh, a senior player, said the team has found the financial package offered unsatisfactory and decided not to train despite reaching the venue of the camp in Pune. “ We discussed the issue with other players and decided that we will not train until the matter is resolved,” Rajpal told M AIL T ODAY . After a marathon day of meetings in the Capital on Saturday, Hockey India president AK Mattoo and Rajpal had announced that they have reached a solution to the crisis after the players threatened to boycott the ongoing national camp.

Rajpal confirmed that financial matters were at the heart of the impasse. “ They are paying only Rs 25,000 per player and we cannot agree to that amount,” he said.

He said there was no final agreement on Saturday. “ They tried to impose their opinions on us. In the end, we got tired and told them we will first discuss the matter with our teammates.” Rajpal found support from teammate Prabhjot Singh. “ The meeting in New Delhi did not result in any settlement. Whatever they offered was pretty nominal and we cannot agree with that,” he said. “ We are merely asking for our incentives for the tournaments we have won last year. It is our right. We should be paid what we demand. We have won and we deserve incentives. The team is united on this matter.” Hockey India treasurer Narinder Batra said the body is almost running on empty coffers and accused the players of blackmailing the Federation.

“ The new deal with Sahara India has resulted in increase of sponsorship money by only 13 per cent and the women’s team has also come into the ambit,” he said. “ The players even wanted to talk directly with the sponsors and we had agreed to that. If they did not agree with what was decided yesterday, they could have said so then and there.” Meanwhile, a source said a group among the probables was trying to impose its will over the others. “ They say they are not satisfied with the way the six players represented their case in Delhi. They are trying to intimidate others to accept their view,” he told M AIL T ODAY . Chief coach Jose Brasa confirmed that the players have informed him about their decision not to train from Monday. “ I came to know about this in the afternoon. I’m sad and disappointed at the developments.” The Spaniard, however, denied that the proposed boycott will have an adverse impact on World Cup preparation. “ They are a fighting bunch and are preparing hard for the World Cup. It is an obstacle that we will overcome.

The players want to play for the country but they want their demands to be met,” Brasa said.

A Hockey India official is expected to go to Pune to meet the players, but it is not decided who it will be as there are two important meetings on Monday regarding affiliation of state units for the coming election.

There is a meeting with International Hockey Federation vice- president Antonio von Ondarza as well as one with the sports ministry.

On Saturday night, neither the players nor Hockey India gave any hints of the simmering discontent.

After the initial threat of a boycott on Friday, Hockey India had called coach Harendra Singh and six senior players — Rajpal, Prabhjot, Sandeep Singh, Sardara Singh, Tushar Khandekar and Arjun Halappa — for talks in New Delhi.

Rajpal denied that the players were holding the national body to ransom with the World Cup starting here next month, but said the players would not budge. “ Our focus is still on the World Cup. But our demands must be met before that.”