MP Govt Promises Rs 1 Cr to Women Hockey Team

As a reward for their performance in 2009, the state government has promised a sum of Rs 1 crore to the national women’s hockey team, reported IANS.

Hailing Madhya Pradesh government’s decision, Union Sports Minister MS Gill said that the money would 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 was quoted as saying.

On Thursday, Chouhan had announced that the state government would bear the whole expenditure of the women’s team.

Yesterday, women’s team had rejected an offer of Rs 50,000 each made by Hockey India (HI) and demanded Rs 3 lakh each as incentive for their performance last year.

Currently, about 40 core group players for the Commonwealth Games are camping in Bhopal.

In the mean time, HI also came forward to help the women’s team.

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

He also said that HI would look into the matter regarding annual contracts to the women players as was promised to the men’s team.

Stokes said that 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 of Assocham Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, has given Rs 10 lakh.