Hockey India on November 6 unveiled a new policy under which players will be guaranteed of cash incentives each year, which will significantly boost the morale of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams.
For each victory the Indian teams record, Hockey India will award players with cash prizes of Rs 50,000 apiece and support personnel with cash prizes of Rs 25,000 each, under the new direction of President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary General Bholanath Singh. The new rule will be a huge boost for players, especially those who come from disadvantaged financial circumstances. The squad’s active players will receive the honour.
Hockey India recently stated that the Indian junior men’s team, who won the prestigious 10th Sultan of Johor Cup, will get two lakh rupees ($2,100) for each player and one lakh rupees ($1,000) for each member of the support staff.
“Hockey India has unanimously decided to award a cash incentive of Rs 50,000 to each player on the Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams for each victory they record from now on. The support staff will also receive Rs 25,000 each, which will be distributed on an annual basis. I am confident that this announcement will boost the morale of the Indian teams as they prepare for the prestigious World Cup and Asian Games in January. While every member of the core group is employed, an incentive like this will encourage more young people to participate in hockey, ” in an official statement, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey stated.
Reflecting Tirkey’s thoughts, Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh said, “I believe this is a landmark decision taken by Hockey India. It will not only lift the spirit of the Indian teams to vie harder for victories but it will also make young aspiring hockey players believe that hockey can be a financially viable sport. I wish the Indian teams the very best in their endeavours.”
