Zeenews Bureau
Pune: The biggest crisis to hit Indian hockey was today resolved after a compromise deal was worked out between the game's administrators and the striking players who have been promised an immediate disbursement of Rs 1 crore.
Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi
brokered a deal which envisaged a long-term plan to meet the
players' financial demands which convinced the players to
rejoin the camp which has been stalled for the last five days
because of the payment dispute.
Kalmadi, who flew in here this morning to negotiate with
the protesting players, said that a full settlement has been
reached with the protesting players but did not clearly
specify how he intended to meet all the demands.
"Hockey has been our national game. It can never be a
national shame. It will be our national pride. The players all
feel that they want to bring up Indian hockey. I assured them
of full support," Kalmadi told a press conference after his
meeting with the players.
Kalmadi, who is also Chairman of the 2010 Commonwealth
Games, said that the Rs one crore given by sponsors Sahara
India will be disbursed among the players within a week and
all other issues would be settled in due course of time.
The settlement of the crisis, which has been dogging
Indian hockey for some time, paves way for the players to
rejoin the World Cup preparatory camp from tomorrow.
The players, who were till yesterday insisting on a
written assurance from Hockey India that all their demands
should be met, decided to withdraw the strike on only a verbal
assurance from Kalmadi.
The settlement evoked a sense of relief in the hockey
fraternity with former players and administrators welcoming
the development which will now allow the players to focus on
the February 28-March 13 World Cup in Delhi.
Kalmadi also said that a Players' Welfare Development
Fund will be created and former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay,
who played a key role in resolving the crisis, has been put in
its charge.
He also made it clear that no player will be targeted in
future for boycotting the camp.
"No player will be targeted. They have done it within the
decorum. I will also tell the next HI president to agree to
the players' demand," he said.
He said that various state governments like Punjab,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have promised
financial support to the players, while some other corporate
houses have also assured monetary help.
"In view of all this we have also decided to form another
committee to look into the finances. This committee will be
chaired by Hockey India president and will also include
representatives from the IOA and players like Zafar Iqbal,
Ajit Pal Singh, MP Ganesh and Pillay," he said.
The players were clearly relieved as the episode came to
an amicable end and they vowed to do their best in the World
Cup.
"We are relived today. We were happy that everything has
been settled and now we can concentrate on our preparations
for the World Cup," goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza said.
"We are a united lot and I hope we will carry forward
this unity on the field. World Cup is a battle and unity is
necessary to win any battle. You will definitely witness this
unity during the World Cup," he said.
Sports Minister MS Gill also welcomed the players'
decision to rejoin camp and said, "I have been watching the
situation that prevailed for the last four days. I am happy
that the players' issues have been resolved."
Kalmadi said the players have given him a list of their
demands and they wanted a commitment on the graded payment
system and solutions to some of their demands before the World
Cup.
First Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 23:24