Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan seems to have scored a goal over other politicians and sports administrators by openly coming out in support of women Hockey players protesting against non-payment of dues for a long time.
The move by the Chief Minister is being appreciated by those associated with the game in Bhopal, which is considered as the nursery of hockey in the country.
Welcoming Chouhan's decision to support women's hockey team and Hockey India by donating Rs one crore for the welfare of the players, senior Congress leader Gufran-E-Azam told PTI "the Chief Minister has shown a path to other leaders of the country to follow for the development of the Hockey."
"There is no politics in it as he has not only supported the women's hockey players but also heeded to our request of laying astro-turf in Aishbagh Hockey Stadium in Bhopal and in Betul," said Azam, who is closely associated with hockey.
Former international hockey player, Jalaluddin, said "finally we have got a person who wants to do something for the betterment of hockey."
"Chouhan's help to the women hockey players and to the Hockey India has boosted the morale of hockey players and the game lovers across the country," he said.
Jalaluddin hoped other politicians and organisations would emulate Chouhan and come forward to help the game.
Besides helping the current players, the leaders should come forward to extend help to former hockey players who are leading a miserable life due to lack of financial support.
Earlier also Chouhan had sanctioned astro-turf in Seoni, Gwalior and other centres in the state which shows that he thinks for the game, Jalaluddin said.
Former Olympian Ashok Dhyanchand also praised Chouhan for extending aid to women hockey players and said other chief ministers should also do something similar to help the game.
Earlier, Indian Men's hockey team had revolted against with Hockey India over non-payment of dues.
The Indian Women's hockey core group team recently too sported black bands over non-payment of their dues during a practise session at the regional centre of SAI near here.
Appalled over the poor condition of Women's Hockey Chouhan announced to bear entire expenses of the team like their men's counterpart.
The women members of the team have not received any dues since April 2008, the team members said. PTI
