By IANS,
New Delhi: The ruling Congress Wednesday expressed happiness that the dispute relating to the Indian hockey team had been resolved, saying the sports ministry and the federations should take steps to ensure that the players do not again go on strike.
“We were pained by the dispute. This year, India is hosting the hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. It is a matter of satisfaction that the problem has been resolved,” Congress spokesman Manish Tewari told reporters here.
The spokesman said that hockey had a glorious past in the country and several generations were connected to the game owing to India’s record in the Olympics.
“It is duty of the sports ministry to talk to the federations to ensure that players are not forced to go on strike,” he said, adding that the ministry should play a “pro-active role” in this.
Tewai said it was duty of the federations and the sports ministry to give maximum attention to the players. “If the country wins medals, it is due to dedication of players,” he pointed out.
Asked why the Congress had not reacted earlier, Tewari said that the party wanted the dispute to be solved and did not want to say anything that could have exacerbated tensions.
India’s hockey crisis ended Wednesday and the players will return to the World Cup training camp Thursday. The players ended their boycott after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi promised them immediate monetary relief and also agreed to consider their other demands.
Kalamdi rushed to the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune Wednesday morning after talks between Hockey India (HI) officials and players failed to break the deadlock over the payment dispute Tuesday.
Sponsors Sahara also took a big step to end the impasse by deciding to immediately release Rs.10 million for “distribution” among the players.