Hockey players reject Rs 25,000 cash award

Dejected by the reward offered to the Indian hockey team after winning the Asian Champions Trophy, players refused to accept Rs 25,000 per player cash reward offered to them by Hockey India for their latest feat.

The Indian hockey team on Wednesday rejected Hockey India's cash reward for winning the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy, saying the paltry amount of Rs 25000 each was not proper recognition of their achievement.

During a felicitation ceremony at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium last evening, the players were offered the
reward but they outrightly rejected it.

"We were offered Rs 25,000 each by HI Secretary General Narinder Batra as reward for winning the Asian Champions
Trophy but we all refused to take it because it a very small reward considering our achievement," senior player Gurbaz
Singh said.

Players celebrate with the winners trophy after defeating Pakistan, during their finals match at the first Asian Men's Hockey Championship in Ordos.

Gurbaz said it was not possible to draw youngsters to the game with such rewards. "We did not expect such a small amount as reward, considering the fact that hockey is our national game. If such things continue, there will be a day when there will be very few kids interested in playing hockey. They would rather opt for cricket or any other individual sport," he added.

India won the Asian Champions Trophy by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 4-2 via shoot out in the summit clash.

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