ID :
100034
Thu, 01/14/2010 - 18:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/100034
The shortlink copeid
Hockey crisis resolved, players to resume practice
Pune, Jan 13 (PTI) The crisis in Indian hockey was on
Wednesday resolved with Indian Olympic Association President
Suresh Kalmadi brokering a compromise deal between the game's
administrators and the striking players, who have been
promised an immediate disbursement of Rs one crore.
Kalmadi, who flew in here this morning to hold
negotiations with the protesting players, said that a full
settlement has been reached and "everybody is happy about it".
"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 dogged Indian
hockey for the last five days, paves the way for the players
to rejoin the World Cup preparatory camp from Thursday.
Kalmadi also said that a Players' Welfare Development
Fund will be created and former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay
who also played a key role in resolving the crisis has been
put in charge.
Kalmadi 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 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.
Kalmadi also said that a number of Bollywood
personalities such as Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salma
Agha have expressed concern about the developments.
"I would request them to hold shows and concerts so that
more funds can be generated for the players. I would also
request Subhash Ghai to help. This money will not only help
the current players but also the old hockey players who are in
dire need," Kalmadi said.
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 sum up their demands before the World
Cup.
"I have given them assurances, they are satisfied," he
added.
The players were also present at the press conference and
when asked whether the any written assurance was given to
them, senior player Deepak Thakur said, "Mr Kalmadi is present
here as the IOA president and we have no reason to disbelieve
him.
"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.
When Kalmadi was asked whether he was willing to give a
written undertaking, he shot back, "There is no question of a
written assurance. I am here as the IOA president and it is my
responsibility to ensure that the players get their dues."
"We have no doubt on the integrity of the players. We
have also no doubt of the integrity of Mattoo (HI president).
He is a highly efficient administrator. We now want to move
on," he said.
That the crisis would be resolved on Wednesday had become
quite apparent in the morning itself, when team sponsor Sahara
India decided to release Rs one crore immediately to be
distributed only among the striking players.
"In the genuine interest of the national hockey players,
Sahara India Pariwar has decided to pay immediately Rs one
Crore in suspense account to Hockey India, only for
distribution to the players so that they can peacefully and
happily practice and play for the country," Sahara said in a
statement. PTI MRM
RBT
Wednesday resolved with Indian Olympic Association President
Suresh Kalmadi brokering a compromise deal between the game's
administrators and the striking players, who have been
promised an immediate disbursement of Rs one crore.
Kalmadi, who flew in here this morning to hold
negotiations with the protesting players, said that a full
settlement has been reached and "everybody is happy about it".
"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 dogged Indian
hockey for the last five days, paves the way for the players
to rejoin the World Cup preparatory camp from Thursday.
Kalmadi also said that a Players' Welfare Development
Fund will be created and former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay
who also played a key role in resolving the crisis has been
put in charge.
Kalmadi 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 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.
Kalmadi also said that a number of Bollywood
personalities such as Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salma
Agha have expressed concern about the developments.
"I would request them to hold shows and concerts so that
more funds can be generated for the players. I would also
request Subhash Ghai to help. This money will not only help
the current players but also the old hockey players who are in
dire need," Kalmadi said.
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 sum up their demands before the World
Cup.
"I have given them assurances, they are satisfied," he
added.
The players were also present at the press conference and
when asked whether the any written assurance was given to
them, senior player Deepak Thakur said, "Mr Kalmadi is present
here as the IOA president and we have no reason to disbelieve
him.
"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.
When Kalmadi was asked whether he was willing to give a
written undertaking, he shot back, "There is no question of a
written assurance. I am here as the IOA president and it is my
responsibility to ensure that the players get their dues."
"We have no doubt on the integrity of the players. We
have also no doubt of the integrity of Mattoo (HI president).
He is a highly efficient administrator. We now want to move
on," he said.
That the crisis would be resolved on Wednesday had become
quite apparent in the morning itself, when team sponsor Sahara
India decided to release Rs one crore immediately to be
distributed only among the striking players.
"In the genuine interest of the national hockey players,
Sahara India Pariwar has decided to pay immediately Rs one
Crore in suspense account to Hockey India, only for
distribution to the players so that they can peacefully and
happily practice and play for the country," Sahara said in a
statement. PTI MRM
RBT
