HOCKEY: INDIA WIN

HARPREET KAUR LAMBA

NEW DELHI

Indian hockey authorities narrowly averted an own goal when they brokered peace with the striking players on Wednesday, bringing an end to a fiveday row over non-payment of sponsorship money. It took an assurance from Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, a plea from former India captain Dhanraj Pillay and an immediate release of Rs 1 crore from team sponsors Sahara India before the players agreed to resume preparations for the forthcoming World Cup from Thursday.

A first of its kind, the move is a clear sign of victory for the players, who put up a show of solidarity.
After years of broken promises, no match fees, nondescript living conditions, Wednesday’s developments finally bring hope and vigour for the national sport.

The players — many of whom are without proper jobs or any source of income — believe that “the move will help secure the future of the players in years to come”.

Striker Deepak Thakur said from Pune: “It is a small battle won by 22 men today. Our incentives will be paid within a week. Mr Kalmadi assured us that the new HI body will look into our demands and introduce graded systems. Security means a lot to any player,

and all we wanted is a secured future.”

On Wednesday, Pillay acted as a peacemaker and decided to meet the players on the insistence of the IOA chief. “I got a call from Mr Kalmadi this morning asking me to talk to the players to bring an end to this crisis. I have always stood by the players and feel their demands were genuine. The IOA chief said finances had been arranged, and I then agreed to convince the team,” said Pillay.

Pillay, along with Mr Kalmadi, held closed-door discussions with the players, assuring them of full support from Sahara India and the IOA.

Mr Kalmadi also promised a graded system, saying he would “personally bring up the matter” once the newly-elected Hockey India was formed.

Said a team member: “We asked for a written assurance from Mr Kalmadi, who said it was not possible. The players then suggested that he should make his assurances public.
Now he has announced things in front of the entire country, there is no reason we should not believe him.”

The players, though, are hoping that the move is not a oneoff step.

“A hue and cry has been made about the issue, and definite progress has been made. All of us are relieved and will return to practice tomorrow, but we just hope that all this doesn’t end in a whimper after a week,” said the player, adding that the boys would not hesitate to boycott the camp once again if “all these turn out to be false promises”.

Sahara India, on its part, said it had decided to pay the funds “only for distribution to the players so that they can peacefully play for the country.” The company, which has also paid Rs 77 lakhs in December as advance for the quarter of January 15-April 14, added that it go through the accounts of Hockey India and take a suitable decision for this amount.

Mr Kalmadi, who is also chairman of the 2010 Commonwealth Games organising committee, said the Rs 1 crore given by Sahara would be disbursed among the players within a week and all other issues would be settled in due course.

He also pledged that no player would be targeted in future for raising his voice against the administrators.

Said Mr Kalmadi, “No player will be targeted. They have done it with decorum. I will also tell the next HI president to agree to the players’ demand.”

Some state governments such as Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have also promised financial support to the players, while some other corporate houses have also assured monetary help.

“In view of all this we have also decided to form a players’ welfare development fund to look into the finances. This committee will be chaired by Hockey India president and will also include representatives from the IOA and players like Zafar Iqbal, Ajit Pal Singh, M.P. Ganesh and Pillay,” he said.