Players skip charity match

NEW DELHI: The Indian hockey players ran into fresh problems with their proposed exhibition match against a celebrity selection in Chandigarh coming a cropper on Saturday.

With chief coach Jose Brasa announcing, well in advance, a two-day rest from the ongoing camp for the World Cup (starting on February 28), the players had, agreed to play this match but courted controversy on payment issue.

The organisers alleged the players demanded Rs five crore, a charge that was vehemently denied by the players. Interestingly, only three players had reportedly reached the venue.

The match was played without the participation of the national team players. — Special Correspondent