Hockey camp suspended

Hockey India officials had gone to Pune this morning after the national players went back to strike on Monday.

HI said it did not have the required money to pay the players, who are demanding Rs 4.5 lakh each apart from a graded contract system, the campers were in no mood to relent at the meeting which ended with no immediate signs of an early settlement to the payment dispute.

HI president AK Mattoo said it was a sad development that the players chose money over national colours at a time when the February 28- March 13 megaevent is knocking at the door.

"Any player who is in the complex has to train but it seems for them (players) money is more important than playing for the country," Mattoo told a press conference.

"No one has been thrown out of the camp. The players have been given 48 hours time to resume training. If they decide not to attend the camp within 48 hours then the camp will be shut," he said.

Mattoo said a new set of players will represent India in the forthcoming World Cup if the revolting players did not report to the camp within the stipulated deadline.

"We are not saying that we are sacking or suspending them but they will not be able to take part in the World Cup," the HI chief said.

"I am not suspending the camp, I am closing the camp for the time being and restart it after some days.