MARGAO
Nine months after the curtains came down on the National Games 2023, Goan hockey players -- part of men’s and women’s team -- have still not been paid their dues.
Both the teams, men and women, took part in the day-camp at Fatorda-Margao followed by a residential camp in Duler-Mapusa and thus were entitled to receive their TA, DA and other allowances.
“As of now the boys and girls only received Rs 3500 of match fees. Camp and tournament allowances are yet to be sanctioned. Around Rs 20,000 to Rs 21,000 are yet to be paid,” said one of the players, who was part of the National Games, right from the selection process held on July 29 till the final game in November in Peddem-Mapusa.
Fed up with the lack of response from officials, the Goan players last week approached SAG to inquire about their pending dues.
The SAG officials have asked players to give a joint letter mentioning all details and also furnish their bank accounts so that money can be transferred to their personal accounts.
Incidentally, all Goa-based players, both men and women, are part of a WhatsApp that is following up on their dues. Secretary Farrel Furtado e Gracias is also part of the group along with Goa-based coaches who were part of National Games.
However, a message posted on the group says, “this is to inform you that the boys had gone to SAG regarding allowance and people there have asked them to get a letter saying that the allowance should be given to us directly rather than giving it to the Association”.
“You all just need to know that we too are a part of this. If tomorrow someone asks whether we have given any letter to the SAG then just be very sure about your answer,” the message adds.
Like other sports, the Goan hockey team had imported a few players for both the men’s and women's team. Goa had also brought in an outstation coach in the form of Verghese Kallikkadan John from Bangalore for the men’s team.
The host lost all their matches in both the men’s and women’s section and finished last in their respective groups.
Meanwhile, four girls Mitali, Mamta Bhatt, Lalrauatifali and Manita from the National Centres of Excellence of Sports Authority of India, who played for Goa at the National Games have confirmed that they have not received anything except Rs 3000.
The outstation boys also confirmed that they received only Rs 3000 as match fees.
The team selection was followed by a fitness camp in Fatorda, Margao, led by SAG coach Patrick Soares, lasting the entire month of August.
Most Goa players from North Goa faced daily travel to South Goa for the camp. Conan Fernandes, who was dropped from the team just days before the National Games, found it odd that the camp was held in South Goa despite most players being from the North.
He noted that the women’s team also had a majority of North Goan players. Conan, a former senior national player and qualified fitness trainer, argued that the camp should have been in North Goa.
He reported that the players spent over Rs 40,000 on travel and car repairs due to accidents and received no travel or diet allowances.
In September, the team moved practice to Peddem grounds with coach Eliter Fernandes. Starting September 25, the men’s team began a residential camp at Preeti International in Mapusa until the championship.
