Maken steers clear of hockey cash reward controversy

Sports Minister Ajay Maken, on Wednesday, sought to steer clear of Indian hockey team cash reward controversy, saying that the Rs 25,000 offered to each player for winning Asian Champions Trophy was not announced by government but by Hockey India (HI).

  -Players reject meager cash reward 

The Indian hockey team today refused to accept Rs 25,000 per player cash reward offered to them by HI for their latest achievement, saying the paltry amount was not proper recognition of their feat.

Media reports, on Wednesday suggested that the Sports Minister had announced the cash reward of Rs 25,000 each during the felicitation ceremony of the Indian hockey team at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium last evening.

Maken, however, tweeted that the amount was not announced by the government but by the HI. The minister further said that the government spends all the money on training, coaching and foreign exposure.

"Rs 25000 cash award was not announced by the Government but by the Hockey India. Government spends all the money on training, coaching and foreign exposure," Maken tweeted.

"Government spent 7.81cr on Hockey Team in last 6 months alone! 5.97cr- National Coaching camps, 1.75cr Foreign Visits, 8.75 lakh on foreign experts," he wrote. 

 - India beat Pakistan in Asian Champions Trophy 

India beat Pakistan 4-2 via tie-breaker in the final of Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China on Sunday.