Sports Ministry earmarks Rs 10.74 cr for hockey teams

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said the government was "liberal" in providing financial assistance for the national hockey teams.

"The government is giving liberal financial assistance for preparation of Indian hockey teams for participating in Commonwealth and Asian Games and other international events by providing for training and participation in national and international competitions, apart from engagement of Indian and foreign coaches and provision for equipments," he said.

"An amount of Rs 10.74 crores has been earmarked for the year 2009-10," he added.
Patil said, his ministry had nothing to do with the recent strike by the men's national team players as the issue was between them and the Hockey India.

"The protest by Indian hockey team was on account of non-fulfillment of contractual agreements by their federation. These payments are based on commercial sponsorship arrangements made by the federation and the government has no role in such matters," he said.