Bhopal:
Days after the Men's hockey team got their incentive cheques after an open revolt, the women's hockey team is protesting against the non-payment of their dues.
The team, which is in Bhopal, will be wearing black arm-bands in practise from Thursday as a mark of protest. The team supported the men in their protest wholeheartedly, but have been told there is no money to clear their dues.
Speaking to NDTV, Mamta Kharab, the captain of the Indian women's hockey team said: "Hockey India has agreed to pay incentives to the men's hockey team, and we want the same for us too. We wanted to take some steps but former president A K Mattoo assured as that we will get what we deserve. But it didn't happen. We won't go on strike as we love our game and our country."
If Hockey India doesn't do the needful we will continue our practice with wearing black arm bands as a symbol of protest, she added.
"Our senior players have got together and have opened a joint account with Syndicate Bank in T T Nagar, Bhopal and its basic purpose is to help needy players. We want indian citizens to donate money generously to help the players."
We want to be treated at par with the men's hockey team, Kharab said.
"We are tired of begging to Hockey India for help which is why we are appealing to the people of India. Men's and women's hockey is the same, they should be treated the same. Women's team should not be treated like a step-child," Kharab added. (
Watch: 'We have been reduced to begging')
Hockey India's interim President Vidya Stokes says they are trying to do their best for the women's team. "Why don't they talk to me straightaway? I would have told them that we have already done what we needed to do. I have already sent letters to the ministry, then why should they grumble about it," clarified Stokes, adding, "Our body is an ad-hoc body, we are not yet recognised."
The women had quite a good 2009, winning the Champions Challenge II tournament and claiming the silver in the Asia Cup.