Striking hockey players will play World Cup

The striking Indian hockey players expressed willingness to play the upcoming World Cup and also fund the preparatory camp with their own money if need be after their demands for settlement of long-pending dues were rejected by Hockey India on Tuesday.

The striking players, who claimed they had requested a meeting with team sponsors Sahara but were denied one by Hockey India officials, said they are ready to resume training immediately provided they get written assurances from the establishment.

All the 22 players attending the World Cup prepatory camp in Pune had earlier on Tuesday walked out of an inconclusive meeting with Hockey India officials, prompting the establishment to serve a fresh 48-hour ultimatum to them to resume training or get axed from the World Cup squad.

Hockey India said it does not have the money to pay the players, who are allegedly demanding Rs 4.5 lakh each for the tournaments they played in and a graded system. It said if the players don't resume training by Thursday they will field reserve players for the World Cup, to be held in Delhi from February 28 to March 13.