WOMEN HOCKEY PLAYERS STILL AWAITING THEIR DUES

By Tushar Bhaduri in New Delhi

WITH the World Cup approaching, authorities went into overdrive to resolve the pay dispute with the men’s hockey probables, but things seem to take more time in the women’s case.

When the girls, training for the three major events coming up later this year, demanded better treatment, several offers of financial assistance came in, but most of them are yet to reach the players.

“ The men’s World Cup is very close which prompted the urgency in their case. We were not so high among their priorities,” senior player Mamta Kharab told MAIL TODAY . The women’s World Cup in Argentina, the Commonwealth Games at home and the Guangzhou Asian Games are scheduled for the latter half of the year.

“ The men stopped training so close to a big event which brought the issue to fore. We, on the other hand, do not want to pressurise anyone.” The players are continuing with their black arm- band protest but are hopeful of a settlement very soon. “ We have got a lot of support from the public and the media, who have kept the issue alive and given us hope of a solution. We will keep the black arm- bands on till our demands are met.” Some of their dues could be paid very soon. “ We have been assured by Hockey India that our dues for 2009 will be cleared in the next five days,” the star player said.

“ Our other demands, such as match fees and a grade system will be considered together with the men’s players after the elections take place.” The sports ministry has set up a fund to which the Madhya Pradesh and Haryana governments have contributed.

“ We have asked the government to distribute the money equally among all the players.

The sports minister has also assured us that he will look into our demands,” Mamta said.

Though the girls have not seen any money yet, they have heard that Yash Raj Films have deposited Rs two lakh in the account opened to help the players in need.

“ We have heard it. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scheduled to give every player Rs 1 lakh at a function on Thursday,” she said.