Hockey India asks players to choose between World Series Hockey and India
Following the footsteps of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Hockey India warned the players to stay away from the World Series Hockey (WSH) or be ready to face the consequences.
After the FIH issued a warning letter to the hockey players, cautioning them not to take part in the lucrative WSH, Hockey India put the entire burden on the players to take the decision of whether they will play for the country or join hands with the rebel
league.
HI Secretary General, Narinder Batra, spoke on the issue, which was not quite unexpected, following the statement of the FIH.
He informed that the national camp for the Olympic Qualifiers will be held from the second week of December to January 26, 2012.
It is relevant to mention here that the unsanctioned league will also be played from December 17 to January 26, 2012, in different cities of India.
Narinder Batra stated in clear words, “If any player skips the national camp, we will be left with no option but to induct juniors for the Olympic qualifiers. It is for the players to make the choice. We cannot stop the players from playing wherever they
want to. They all know that they would be playing in an event not sanctioned by the FIH and it is for them to decide what is in their best interests”.
Rejecting the impression that HI selected the dates in a hurry to counter the league, Narinder Batra stated that it was the WSH that intentionally fixed the same dates with the training camp.
The HI Secretary further elaborated the situation, saying that they were aware about the financial losses of the players if they do not participate in the worthwhile event.
They are working with the corporate sector to announce cash prizes for the team if it earns a berth in the 2012 London Olympics, he maintained.
The players will have many hurdles in their way to get millions of rupees, as they will have to get No Objection Certificates (NOC) from their employers. The employers, mainly the government institutions, will not permit them, whatsoever, to participate
in the league.
World Series Hockey is a joint project of Nimbus Sports and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), the derecognised body by the FIH.
According to the reports, many players from the Indian hockey squad have signed their deals with the money-making league.
Sardara Singh, Adrian D'Souza, Prabhjot Singh and Arjun Halappa are the famous names, who will also lead four out of the total eight franchise-based teams in the tournament.
The situation will be ill-defined until the players announce their decisions regarding their participation in the World Series Hockey.
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