Unperturbed by Hockey India's threat to field a fresh team in the World Cup, the defiant members of the national team today ruled out joining the camp unless their demands are met.
Captain Rajpal Singh and senior players Prabhjot Singh, Dipak Thakur, Adrian D'Souza and Arjun Halappa said the HI offer of Rs 25,000 per player would suit a school side and not a national team and the rebel players are mentally prepared to leave the camp here.
Dismissing HI allegation that the players put money before national honour, Rajpal said, "We came here to practise and not to skip training. And it's not crime if we talk about our rights.
"Hockey India said they don't have money. In that case, we don't want to increase their burden and all 22 players are ready to fund our own World Cup preparation. But the thing is they have to give us written assurance which they are not ready to do," Rajpal said.
HI president A K Mattoo had earlier made it clear that since he was heading an ad hoc committee which goes to poll on February 7, he could not commit for future.
{{/usCountry}}HI president A K Mattoo had earlier made it clear that since he was heading an ad hoc committee which goes to poll on February 7, he could not commit for future.
{{/usCountry}}HI also gave the players 48 hours to join the camp or threatened to field a second string squad.
"We will see how that B team fares," one of the players snarled from behind.