Sudden cash flow in Indian hockey
By IANSWednesday, January 13, 2010
PUNE - After struggling to pay players their outstanding dues, Hockey India (HI) now suddenly finds itself in the midst of cash flow with state governments, corporates and Bollywood stars promising financial help for the national sport.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief Suresh Kalmadi, who brokered peace Wednesday between the rebelling players and HI, said that it was a positive development coming out of the entire controversy.
The players, who were first promised a mere Rs.25,000 for their entire last season, will now walk away with much more than their demand of Rs.450,000 each. Kalmadi has promised the players to clear their dues within a week with sponsors Sahara immediately releasing Rs.10 million for ‘distribution’ among the players.
“We now have to make sure that we get all the cheques from the state governments and corporates before they forget,” Kalmadi said in a lighter vein.
“Private sectors, state governments and film stars have come forward to help the national sport. State governments of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have pledged financial support for hockey. Corporates like Bajaj Allianz have promised Rs.20 million while Shree Cements have also assured financial help for the sport,” he said.
“Even Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and singer Salma Agha have also showed solidarity for the sport. This is a positive development, not only for hockey but for other Olympic sports in the country as well,” he said.
“All this money will be used for the benefit of hockey players.”
Central Bank, who are the official bankers of the Commonwealth Games, have promised to pay cash awards to players if the team does well in next month’s World Cup.
“I am sure that more corporates will come forward with cash awards if the team does well in the World Cup,” he said.
Kalmadi refused to blame HI for the entire saga.
“We can’t question the integrity of HI president (Ashok Kumar) Mattoo. The HI initially got Rs.17.4 million from the sponsors, but from that he had to clear the loans. HI had taken a loan of Rs.10 million from a nationalised bank and Rs.5 million from the IOA,” he said.
