India: No disparity in payments  x2
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| India |
December 28, 2004
The Times of India
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MANISH KUMAR
NEW DELHI: There is no question of disparity in payments between top foreign players and their Indian counterparts in the Premier Hockey League to be launched on January 13 in Hyderabad. PHL officials said that they would be finalising the deals for the home players and a "formal announcement" could be expected by Wednesday. On Tuesday, PHL organisers - ESPN, IHF and their marketing arm, LSM - had a marathon meeting over two sessions.
Reacting to a TOI report, PHL officials denied that Indian players would be getting a raw deal as compared to the foreigners who have been offered contracts to play in the league. "We are hoping to finalise the package for our players tonight. At this moment, we cannot make any official comment, but I can assure you that there is no question of any disparity," a top official said, adding, "Indian captain Dilip Tirkey will get as much as Pakistan's star player Rehan Butt has been offered." It's clear that IHF has reacted to the media outcry.
But there seemed to be a rider. "We will be grading players as per their experience and performance. So top players will get more than the others," the official explained.
The amount, in lieu of a contract with each player, will be apart from the daily allowance (Rs 800 per match) for every player in the league.
Spanish captain Juan Escarra for PHL: The League organisers who hired Champions Trophy Spanish coach, Maurits Hendriks, as consultant would be rubbing their hands in glee as Spanish captain Juan Escarra has almost agreed to participate in the inaugural PHL. The Spaniard is the PHL's biggest acquisition so far.
Incidentally, a member of the visiting French team, their impressive forward Frederic Soyez, is also expected to confirm his participation. "Escarra and Soyez are confirmed, besides we are expecting some more names tonight from Spain," said the official.
Dhanraj, Dhillon among probables: The 'pariah' players - Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Dhillon besides midfielder Baljit Singh Saini have been selected among the probables for the five teams which will play in the first tier league. The names of the players of the five teams are expected to be announced on Wednesday. "We've selected 20 probables in each team - five will have to be dropped eventually to accomodate those from abroad." In all, 15 foreigners would be signed for the inaugural PHL.
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