Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, Jan 13 (IANS) Former hockey players Dilip Tirkey and Lazarus Barla have backed the disgruntled players as crisis in Indian Hockey over outstanding payments issue deepened.
Barla and Tirkey said Tuesday that they want immediate end to the dispute between Hockey India and the players and that immediate efforts should be made to resolve the issues raised by the players as early as possible.

“Hockey players never agitate like this. They have been neglected. It is unfortunate that such a thing has happened” Lazrus Barla told IANS.

“India is hosting the world cup and our players are facing difficulties. They (players) are not playing for personal gain. They are playing for the country”, he said.

“The problems should have been resolved immediately. If it is not solved now, there may be more disturbances in the coming days” he said.

Former India hockey captain Dilip Tirky said: “They (players) must get paid as quickly as possible. “There should not be any delay”.

“When cricket has become glamorous and every body is talking about it, hockey should not be neglected this way,” he said.

Hockey World Cup would be played at New Delhi from Feb 28 to March 13. India hockey team captain Rajpal Singh Friday announced an indefinite boycott of a training camp by the players over non-payment of match fees.

Hockey India Tuesday warned the protesting players that if they did not return to the camp, a new team would have to be drafted for the New Delhi World Cup.

The players have sent out a strong message to Hockey India that if it cannot pay them, they would spend their own money and play the World Cup.