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News Khabran / India's Feild Hockey Crisis
« on: January 12, 2010, 11:47:00 AM »
The revolt by Indian hockey players seems to be gathering strength day by day.
On Tuesday talks between revolting players and Hockey India officials over the unpaid salaries broke down in Pune. Officials have refused to concede to the players’ demands saying they simply do not have the funds to do to pay the players.
Hockey India officials blame the players of being greedy and putting money before the country.
They also issued a threat to the players saying they (players) have one day to end their strike and return to the training camp otherwise they will be asked to leave the camp.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also backed Hockey India, calling the players demands unacceptable..
The players in response say they are not returning to the camp and that they were willing to play the World Cup at their own cost.
Players claim the promised incentives haven't been delivered and that they have been playing for India for 10 years without rewards. All 22 players claim to be united and have demanded resignation of Hockey India officials if they can't come up with the funds saying the intention is to ensure the future of the game.
The players addressed a press conference in a show of unity.
"He will play in the World Cup on our own cost and put the country before self," said team member Deepak Thakur said.
"We have been playing for the country for the last 10 years. We have not received much incentive" said another member Prabhjot Singh.
"They didn't give us any assurances. They did not give us anything in writing, nothing in black and white," added goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza about the meeting.
The players addressed the media after a stormy press conference where Hockey India refused to budge claiming the players were greedy and unwilling to understand their financial concerns.
"We pleaded with then. Tony also told them the international practices that nowhere no country was playing for money. They are playing for the colour of their country, to bring glory to the country. Unfortunately that also was not heeded," Hockey India President AK Mattoo said.
The war between the players and the officials has left Indian hockey in the lurch.
Hockey India officials have also threatened to sack the entire team and look for a new set of players to play at the World Cup.
The FIH is also shell shocked by the ongoing crisis in Indian hockey.
"What more can he do? Hockey India exists only since May 2009. Since October 2009 there has been a new sponsorship agreement. How can Hockey India, which is an interim body until the elections, commit for the future," said FIH Vice-President Antonio von Ondarza.
While the players prepare to pack their bags and head home with a critical message that they are doing this to ensure the future of the game.
"We are not only worried about the World Cup. We are worried about the future of the sport," said D'Souza.
It is clear that Indian hockey is embroiled in its greatest crisis ever with no obvious end in sight.
On Tuesday talks between revolting players and Hockey India officials over the unpaid salaries broke down in Pune. Officials have refused to concede to the players’ demands saying they simply do not have the funds to do to pay the players.
Hockey India officials blame the players of being greedy and putting money before the country.
They also issued a threat to the players saying they (players) have one day to end their strike and return to the training camp otherwise they will be asked to leave the camp.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also backed Hockey India, calling the players demands unacceptable..
The players in response say they are not returning to the camp and that they were willing to play the World Cup at their own cost.
Players claim the promised incentives haven't been delivered and that they have been playing for India for 10 years without rewards. All 22 players claim to be united and have demanded resignation of Hockey India officials if they can't come up with the funds saying the intention is to ensure the future of the game.
The players addressed a press conference in a show of unity.
"He will play in the World Cup on our own cost and put the country before self," said team member Deepak Thakur said.
"We have been playing for the country for the last 10 years. We have not received much incentive" said another member Prabhjot Singh.
"They didn't give us any assurances. They did not give us anything in writing, nothing in black and white," added goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza about the meeting.
The players addressed the media after a stormy press conference where Hockey India refused to budge claiming the players were greedy and unwilling to understand their financial concerns.
"We pleaded with then. Tony also told them the international practices that nowhere no country was playing for money. They are playing for the colour of their country, to bring glory to the country. Unfortunately that also was not heeded," Hockey India President AK Mattoo said.
The war between the players and the officials has left Indian hockey in the lurch.
Hockey India officials have also threatened to sack the entire team and look for a new set of players to play at the World Cup.
The FIH is also shell shocked by the ongoing crisis in Indian hockey.
"What more can he do? Hockey India exists only since May 2009. Since October 2009 there has been a new sponsorship agreement. How can Hockey India, which is an interim body until the elections, commit for the future," said FIH Vice-President Antonio von Ondarza.
While the players prepare to pack their bags and head home with a critical message that they are doing this to ensure the future of the game.
"We are not only worried about the World Cup. We are worried about the future of the sport," said D'Souza.
It is clear that Indian hockey is embroiled in its greatest crisis ever with no obvious end in sight.
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