Cricket aside, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina leave hockey players in debt: report
Mumbai: The Indian Hockey League was a good initiative by Hockey India to bring the country’s national sport to the fore. And what was a promising sight to see was the interest of other sporting personalities investing in the game of curved sticks.
The last season saw Ranchi Rays clinch the title in February. The side achieved glory on debut and had the financial backing of Team India’s skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and major sponsors, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, who were the co-owners.
But here comes the sad story. A report in the 'Hindustan Times' stated that players from the winning side are still awaiting their dues, three months since the league completed. The outstanding dues reportedly amount to Rs 2 to Rs 3 crore.
Ranchi players are not the only ones who are facing this sticky situation. Uttar Pradesh Wizards, co-owned by Sahara and India batsman Suresh Raina are also yet to settle dues amounting to a similar sum as that of Ranchi Rays.
It is still left to be known why the teams haven’t cleared the dues to the players considering the fact that they are funded by Dhoni and Raina.
Rohan Mehan, an official of Rhiti Sports, which manages Dhoni’s business interests, was unavailable for a comment while Abhijit Sarkar, director of Sahara Adventure Sports also refused to comment on the same.
Each HIL team is allowed to sign up 24 players, including 10 foreigners and payments are made in phases. The final instalment must be cleared before the team’s final match, or within a week after that.
The Indian Hockey League is an event sanctioned by the global body and the franchises have to follow its rules. However, it is learnt even some foreign players of Ranchi have outstanding dues. To add to the misery, the coaching staff have got only 50 per cent of the dues.
India’s Dutch high performance director Roelant Oltmans and Wizards’ coach was reportedly quoted in the daily saying, “The team owner would pay sooner or later,” he said. However, he wasn’t aware that players were yet to get their dues. Ranchi coach Harendra Singh refused to comment.
Out of fear of facing any further repercussions, they haven’t sent a written complaint to the federation or team owners. “No one is speaking about the money due to fear of losing their place in the national team,” said a player, on the condition of anonymity bound for Belgium to play in the Hockey World League semifinal.
Narinder Batra, Hockey India president and HIL chairman was quoted saying, “No one has complained to us,” adding that HI has made all payments due to the franchises. The Indian Hockey League started in 2013. In 2014, two franchises, Ranchi Rhinos and Mumbai Magicians quit the league.
