Bhopal:
The women's hockey team has expressed gratitude for the Sports Ministry's effort to collect a sum of Rs 1 crore for the team, but the players say they will continue their protest.
The reason, they say, is that the real problem has not been sorted out yet. The players demand to be paid at par with the men and they want an assurance on that.
Hockey India, the interim body that governs the game, has said in a press release that the authorities do not differentiate between the men's and women's team. It said the women's team would also be paid at par with the men.
Vidya Stokes, president, Hockey India, said, "We will also be doing grading of players for annual contracts. Rs 50,000 being given to women is an advance payment only and balance payment will be paid by the new elected body of Hockey India."
The committee of players announced by President, IOA, in Pune to look after a special player's fund, will now have 2 additional members i.e. Captains of both Senior Women's & Men's teams.
Stokes said, "We are awaiting funds to come into the players fund as announced by :
- Government of Madhya Pradesh
- Government of Uttar Pradesh
- Government of Punjab
- Shree Cement
- Bollywood Stars and money from their shows.
- Mr. Sunil Gavaskar on behalf of Cricketers.
- And other sources / people who came forward.