Time to do something for the sport’s future, says D’Souza

PUNE: Indian men’s hockey team goalkeeper, Adrian D’Souza appeared firm in his resolve, on Monday, to project players’ expectations in a detailed and planned manner before Hockey India officials.

“The team is more united now than it was a week ago,” said the Olympian, on a day spent waiting for HI administrators to arrive from the Capital.

“I feel this is the moment for us to do something towards a better future for youngsters wanting to play hockey. At the end of the day, parents who want their kids to take up the sport take the decision on the basis of earning power,” he said.

D’Souza is one of the probables who have stopped training at the preparatory camp for World Cup 2010, as part of a collective team decision.

“We are better prepared now to talk issues out with Hockey India officials, and have identified players among us who will do the talking face-to-face,” said D’Souza, refusing to divulge details. “We will first put it up before HI before telling others,” he said.

The demands

Payment of incentives pending since 2009, graded payments, a contract system and better training facilities form a major chunk of players’ demands. D’Souza points out that the Indian team used to be rewarded with cash prizes for victories.

“Last year, we were told about cash incentives for international victories, like the Azlan Shah Cup, the Test series in Canada, Champions Challenge bronze. The announcements were made orally. Now, we want the specifics in writing. It is all we are asking,” he said.

Referring to the team’s reported turnaround on settlement with HI agreed upon by captain Rajpal Singh and Arjun Halappa, he said: “I was not part of the group invited to Delhi, so I don’t know what transpired there.”

The India goalkeeper said the team realised the difference in expectations and HI announcements, projected as a settlement between the striking players and the establishment, after listening to the six players on their return to Balewadi.

“All I can say is that all 22 players in the camp here are united. We wish to sort it out face-to-face with HI officials, someone with the authority to take decisions.”

Forcing the issue

Asked about the timing of the demands, with the 2010 World Cup so close, D’Souza said: “We spoke about it during the Champions Challenge preparations here. Before the team left for Argentina, a letter from the players was handed over. Nothing happened when we returned with the bronze. That is when we decided to set January 8 deadline for official response, and then stopped training.”

Asked about the probability of striking players being suspended by HI and a new team formed to represent India at the World Cup, the India goalkeeper and one-time nominee for the FIH Emerging Player of the Year award, said: “Let it happen, then I will react. As for now, we are waiting to present our views in a detailed, better way to Hockey India. We are waiting.”