Pune:
The hockey crisis is far from over. The standoff between players of the national team and Hockey India officials continues - the former adamant about their strike, the latter in a huddle to try and find a solution.
Hockey India officials are travelling to Pune today to begin another round of talks with the players, who now apparently have 24 hours to consider their position.
The interim body that governs the sport did wield the threat of a ban, but the team responded by saying it was united and that any such action would have to apply to all 22 members of the squad. The players made it clear that sacking one would mean sacking all. (
Read:Punjab, MP ready to meet players' hikes)
"The meeting will happen in front of all the players. Only when we talk to the officials we will know which proposal is agreed to. All players will also have to agree to the final decision," said senior player Prabhjot Singh.
Hockey India's attempts at reconciliation clearly weren't acceptable to the team, but the president AK Mattoo says he's now running out of ideas.
"We are open to talks but not to blackmail. If they don't want to play I can't do anything. I will then consider myself a failure. Disciplinary action can be taken on the last day also. But I don't want to do that, because that will set another precedent.", said Mattoo.
All the players are asking for is Rs 25,000 per player promised to them at the time of the Champions Challenge tournament in Argentina, where India incidentally finished with a bronze.
Former Captain Pargat Singh said: "When they've already worked out a settlement, then the matter should be resolved through dialogue."
The players have made a valid demand, but the World Cup is just six weeks away. The hockey fraternity is rooting for the team, but also hoping this doesn't boomerang in their faces.