Mounting support for women players

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: Financial support has started to come in from various quarters to help the women hockey players, who have been sporting black armbands during their training at the Bhopal camp.

After the players’ demands hit the headlines, Hockey India (HI) President Vidya Stokes on Friday talked to Deepika Murty, the representative of the players, and assured all possible help from the National federation.

In a statement, Stokes assured that HI did not differentiate between men and women players. “Rs. 50,000 is being given to the women players as advance payment and the rest will be paid by the newly-elected body of HI,” she said. (The players had on Thursday rejected the offer of Rs. 50,000).

Annual contract

The HI president also promised annual contracts with graded payments for the women.

“The committee of players announced by the Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi to look after a special players’ fund will now have two additional members — captains of both men and women’s teams,” Stokes said, indicating HI’s willingness to listen to the players’ grievances.

HI is awaiting the assistance announced by various State Governments, companies and individuals to meet the players’ demands.

Rs. one crore from MP

There was some good news for the protesting players for whom the Madhya Pradesh Government donated Rs. 1 crore to Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill.

Gill also played his part in pooling support for the players. At a meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here, he requested leading industries to make contributions for the cause. “Vinay Rai (of Rai University) agreed to donate Rs. 10 lakh,” Gill said.

The Sports Minister talked to Deepika and asked her to prepare a list of the players who deserve the incentives.

Written assurance

Meanwhile, the players, protesting in a dignified manner, sought at least a written assurance from HI. “We understand that HI is going through a financial crisis. We need either the cheques or a concrete written assurance. Until that time, we will continue our protest,” Indian captain Surinder Kaur told The Hindu from Bhopal.

Asked whether they would go on strike like the men players, Surinder said, “We have decided not to go on strike. We are just fighting for what we deserve.”

Surinder said four of the players — Mamta Kharab, Deepika, Subhadra Pradhan and herself — had opened a joint account to seek donations from fans and well-wishers and would utilise the funds to assist needy teammates.

Altogether 42 probables are training at Bhopal for the women’s World Cup, scheduled in Argentina in August.