Hockey players vow to show team spirit in WC

New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Relieved after the deadlock with
the federation ended in an amicable solution, the Indian
hockey players Wednesday vowed to put up a united front in the
forthcoming World Cup which gets underway here next month.
The five-day long deadlock ended on Wednesday with Indian
Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi brokering a
compromise deal between Hockey India and the striking players,
who have been promised an immediate disbursement of Rs one
crore given by team sponsor Sahara.
India goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza said the players are a
much relieved lot after a peace was brokered Wednesday between
two warring parties and now they can completely focus their
attention on the preparations for the World Cup to be held in
the national capital from February 28-March 13.
"We are relived today. We were happy that everything has
been settled and now we can concentrate on our preparations
for the World Cup," D'Souza told PTI from Pune.
"Our unity was our main weapon in this fight. Every
single player of the squad was behind each other and I am
happy to say that we still are a united lot. 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.

D'Souza said the IOA chief's word of mouth was big enough
assurance for them to call off the five-day long strike and
resume training from Thursday.
"The IOA President coming to meet us and assuring in
front of the entire nation that he will see that all our dues
and incentives be cleared within a week was enough for us.
"He assured us that he will put our all other demands,
including the gradation system, before the new Hockey India
officials once they are elected on February 7. He also assured
us that gradation system will be worked out before the World
Cup," he added.
D'Souza's Team India mate Prabhjot Singh agreed with him
and said the players are determined to put up an impressive
show as a unit during the megaevent.
"We are feeling really good and I am happy that
everything has been sorted out early," Prabhjot said.
"We were always united in the fight for our rights. And
this unity is a good sign for the World Cup. Our proposals
have met and the boys are all pumped up to give their best in
the World Cup," he added.

Prabhjot also said that Kalmadi's assurance before the
media was behind their decision to call off the strike.
"Mr Kalmadi is the IOA President and he accepted our
proposal before everyone, that was enough. He assured us that
the gradation issue will be solved before the World Cup,"
Prabhjot said.
"They (HI) were not ready to even assure us before
anyone, leave alone giving us assurance in writing. But Mr
Kalmadi was kind enough to assure us before the media," he
said.
Another senior player Deepak Thakur said there was no
reason to disbelieve the IOA President's promise.
"Within one week our dues will be given. Mr Kalmadi has
assured us that the new HI body will be looking into our
demands. All we wanted is a secured future. We don't want to
remain insecure," Thakur said. PTI SSC
RBT