Lucknow, January 13: In a rare political gesture, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati today announced to give Hockey India(HI) a financial assistance of Rupees 5 crore to sort out the differences between the players and the organisation.
This is said to be a gift to the hockey players by the UP CM on her 54th birthday this January 15.
According to official sources, Ms Mayawati has proposed to give Rs 5 crore in next two years to help the hockey players who are in a tussle with the HI over their pending dues.
Sources said that UP government has also offered to hand over the money as a sponsor for next two years.
The announcement from Mayawati should come as a great help to warring sporting authorities over payment to players.
It came immediately after the junior hockey players, currently camping here at Sports Authority of India (SAI) sub-centre, announced to join the seniors in their cause. Some of the juniors are being in the reckoning to replace some of the seniors if the matter remained unresolved.
–Agencies