Hockey crisis resolved amicably, players to resume training

The standoff between Indian hockey players and Hockey India (HI) over issues of paymet ended amicably today after Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi and former captain Dhanraj Pillay talked to the players and worked out a compromise deal.

Under the settlement, the players were promised an immediate disbursement of Rs one crore, Mr Kalmadi told journalists in Pune after the meeting with the players.

He also said that a long-term plan to meet the players' grievances, including a grading system for payments, would be worked out. He said the players would return to the training camp for next month's World Cup, which Delhi is due to host.

Mr Kalmadi, who said he agreed with the demands raised by the players, did not give details except to say that the commitment of Rs one crore would be binding on the new office-bearers of Hockey India, who will be elected soon.

"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," he said.

Mr Kalmadi, who is also Chairman of the organising committee of Commonwealth Games 2010, which Delhi will host in October this year, said the Rs one crore given by sponsors Sahara India would be disbursed to the players within a week.

He said things like the gradig system for payments would have to await the election of a new Hockey India management committee. He said he had assured the players of his full support and told them to come to him in case any problem arose in the future.

He said he had told the players to ensure a podium finish in the World Cup and aim for the gold and they and their coach had promised him their best.

Mr Kalmadi said some of the issues raised by the players had to be dealt with by Hockey India and others by the Government. "My responsibility is to meet all sides," he said.

He expressed happiness that many state governments, including those of Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salma Agha and some business houses had pledged support for the team.

He said Pillay had been given the task of following up on these commitments. He also said that a players' development fund would be set up. A committee consisting of Zafar Iqbal, Ajit Pal Singh, M P Ganesh and Dhanraj Pillay, all former players, would be set up to look into the financial and other related matters.

Mr Kalmadi also gave an assurance that no player would be penalised for speaking out on these issues in the past few days. "They have only spoken their mind and done it with decorum", he remarked. He also spoke of the need to look after the interests of the women's hockey team and also the juniors.

NNN