Sports minister asks hockey players to resume training

Sports Minister M.S.Gill Tuesday asked the hockey players to get back to training, and promised to take up their grievances with the elected Hockey India soon after the World Cup.

“I appeal to the players to immediately join training and continue so, focussing on winning the World Cup,” Gill said in a statement.

Expressing concern over the stand-off between Hockey India (HI) and players over outstanding payments, Gill said the Sports Authority of India is closely monitoring the developments.

“I have noted the grievances of the players as projected through the media reports in the past few days. I am concerned at the standoff between Hockey India and the national team over issues of payments.”

Gill reminded the players that after the supersession of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the re-incarnated Hockey India is an ad-hoc body.

“The election process for Hockey India, under the guidance of the ministry’s observer and the FIH, is in the process, and will be completed on February 7, when a regular management, with a regular tenure, will assume office.”

“After the World Cup, the Sports Ministry will take up the issues raised by the players with the elected Hockey India and find satisfactory solution,” Gill said.

He said that the players should be inspired to play at the brand new hockey facility for the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.

“The duty of the players is to continue training and be ready for their first World Cup match against Pakistan on Feb 28. The new hockey stadium, which I inspected today, will be the best hockey stadium in the world.”

“After the World Cup, I will do everything possible to give the players a fair deal.”