By IANS,
New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) Wednesday requested the sports ministry to “announce a suitable reward” after the national team rejected the paltry cash award of Rs.25,000 announced by the federation for winning the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy.
HI secretary general Narinder Batra requested Sports Minister Ajay Maken to intervene and the latter announced a cash award of Rs.1.5 lakh for each member of the team.
“Hockey India had announced cash reward of Rs.25,000 for each player and official of the hockey team which won the first Asian Champions Trophy. The players have refused to accept this amount as they find it very little in relation to their performance,” Batra wrote in his letter to Maken.
“We approach your ministry through your Hon’ble goodself and request the ministry to announce a suitable reward for the players and officials which will help in motivating and build up the morale of the team. We very humbly request for favourable consideration of our request,” Batra said.