Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh government has pledged a sum of Rs.1 crore to the national women’s hockey team as a reward for their performance last year.
Central Sports Minster M.S. Gill said the money will be distributed to the women’s team members who were protesting in Bhopal against the non-payment of their dues.

“I am very happy that the Madhya Pradesh government has come forward to help the women’s team. I have spoken to Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and he is eager to extend his support to women’s hockey.

“I have also spoken to Dipika Murty (goalkeeper) and asked her to prepare a list of the players who have not got their dues,” Gill told reporters here Friday.

Chouhan had Thursday announced the state government would bear the entire expense of the women’s team.

Taking a cue from their male counterparts, members of Indian women hockey team had demanded Rs.3 lakh each as incentive for their performance last year. They Thursday rejected Hockey India’s (HI) offer of Rs.50,000 each.

Around 40 core group players for the Commonwealth Games are camping in Bhopal.

Meanwhile, HI has also came forward to help the women’s team.

“They will be paid at par with the men,” HI interim president Vidya Stokes said in a statement.

Stokes also said that HI will look into the matter of giving annual contracts to the women players as was promised to the men’s team.

Stokes said the Players’ Committee formed by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi to look after a special player’s fund will now include the captain of senior women’s and men’s team.

Stokes said they are awaiting funds pledged by the various state governments, Bollywood personalities and cricketers which could then be given to the players after the formation of the elected body.

Rai Foundation chairman Vinay Rai, who is also the chairman os Assocham Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, has given Rs 10 lakh.