A day after the Indian hockey team returned home having won the Asian Champions Trophy in China, the players refused to accept Hockey India’s “incentive” of `25,000 because they felt the amount was “insulting”.
“We spoke to skipper Rajpal Singh and asked him to convey our feelings to
Hockey India. To avoid embarrassment they did not disburse the money during a felicitation,” a player said on condition of anonymity.
Hockey India quickly pointed out that their resources permitted them only `25,000.
“We understand it is the thought that matters, but in this age how does one survive without monetary support? How do you lure youngsters into the sport if we cannot offer them incentives? Paying a national team player `25,000 for winning a continental event is just not acceptable,” said skipper Rajpal Singh.
Hockey India wrote to sports minister Ajay Maken asking for enhanced cash prizes.
“In his letter to Maken, HI secretary-general Nar-ender Batra said, ‘Hockey India announced a cash reward of `25,000 each for the players and officials of the hockey team which won the first Asian Champions Trophy... The players refused to accept this amount as they find it very little in relation to their performance. We approach your ministry ... to announce a suitable reward...”
Sports minister Mr Maken then “announced” a cash prize of `1.5 lakh per player.