Aid pours in for hockey

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi: The Madhya Pradesh government Friday decided to donate Rs 1 crore for distribution among the members of the national women’s hockey squad.

Indeed, there was more help forthcoming for Indian hockey after the chief ministers of Haryana and Assam, on a request from Union sports minister M.S. Gill, Friday pledged Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh, respectively for the welfare of Indian hockey players.

The girls, currently attending camp in Bhopal, have demanded an immediate payment of their dues. Although they did not resort to a strike, like their men counterparts had, in Pune, the women players wore black armbands during practice sessions.

The girls had Thursday rejected Hockey India ’s offer of an immediate payment of Rs 50,000 each and opened a bank account to invite contributions to improve their conditions.

Apart from the Madhya Pradesh government, an educational institute, Rai Foundation, has also donated Rs 10 lakh for the players.

Announcing this here on Friday, Gill, said Madhya Pradesh chief minister, Shivraj Chouhan decided to release the money after hearing of the plight of the women’s hockey players.