Women Hockey players takes a firm stand

Women’s hockey players’ take a stand befitting their status of national stars. Yesterday, they wore identical black band while went for both sessions of practice in Bhopal. They have been demanding payment for their performance in the past years on par with men’s team.

Starting from late night of Wednesday the news of them going for a quiet protest started trickling in, in Hindi Channels first, followed in the morning by the English Channels.

Senior players Dipika Murthy, Surinder Kaur and Mamta Kharab esposued their grievances and also how they felt slighted at Hockey India’s attitude.

“When they have given money to boys, why have we to resort to this for our dues. We would have been delighted had it come on their own”, was their refrain.

They also opened a joint account in Syndicate Bank, TT Nagar, Bhopal (AC NO) asking the nation to contribute. It appears some flow has started.

Other updates:

Vidhya Stokes informed the cheques for 19 players, each Rs. 50,000, is ready. She even refused to pay this much yesterday. However, the players have unitedly snubbed this offer; and are not going to agree anything less than what was given to men’s team last week. Men team were paid Rs.1 lac for Gold, 75,000 for Silver, and 50, 000 for bronze.

Accordingly, the girls deserved at least 2.5 lac for the last year performance alone, as they played in four events, with good results.

Reports indicate the National Commission on Women will take up the issue with competent authorities, further details not available

It also appears Chak De India team will give whatever money they got for the film winning the National Award, which according to some is about Rs. 1.5 lac.

Mamta and Dipika also appeared in many live programs on television channels and have very decently put forth their views. They are really hurt the Hockey India did not bother about them and sidelined in toto.

We will wait for the developments of Day II, with care and concern.