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Gill unhappy with warring hockey bodies

Former union sports minister MS Gill has come down hard on Hockey India (HI) as well as on international hockey body FIH on preventing players from going to the World Series of Hockey (WSH).

Updated on: Feb 29, 2012, 24:19:08 IST
Hindustan Times | By , New Delhi
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Former union sports minister MS Gill has come down hard on Hockey India (HI) as well as on international hockey body FIH on preventing players from going to the World Series of Hockey (WSH).

HT Image
HT Image

"HI and FIH are playing cat and mouse with the players," said Gill.

"FIH's only interest in India is to make money. More than 50% of their annual revenue comes from here only."

After making it to the London Olympics, the national team has been showered with money. But WSH caters more numbers of players and those playing in the league should not be at the receiving end of the HI.

Beneficial for players
"Most of the hockey players come from very humble backgrounds. They are from the rural belts of Punjab, Orissa, Jharkhand, and with the money pouring in the sport, it will definitely increase the status of the sport and will attract more youngsters to play the sport professionally," said the former sports minister.

"If cricketers can be rewarded with money, why can't hockey players."

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