PANAJI
Do we treat our players well, or it is use and then forget about them, is a question asked by the Goans Hockey players of both the men’s and women’s team as they await the National Games 2023 dues from Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).
For the players for the last year, the plot revolving around the National Games 2023 has taken a lot of twists and turns.
After much delay, the disappointed players approached the SAG and they were told by its officials to furnish the bank details of all the players so that the payments could be wired to the players and officials in their respective bank accounts.
Now, the whole saga has taken a new turn with Goans Hockey officials requesting the players to report to them on Monday, October 21 at Peddem ground Mapusa to complete the formalities.
“Hello everyone, hope ull (sic) are doing well .. Just a small reminder National games money has come to Association dos (sic) players who have played National games and also who have attended the day camp in Margao have to report to Farrel Mam on Monday evening at Peddem sports complex at 3:30/pm," a message posted in the players' WhatsApp group says.
“All players have to carry their bank passbook xerox copy. The place has been changed /updated due to ongoing practice of senior men’s team," adds the message.
For those hockey players dropped a few days ahead of the Games, held in Goa from October 25 to November 9, they have not got a single pie for burning calories for close to 45 days and also making the long drive from North Goa to Margao for the diet camp, conducted by athletics coach Patrick Soares.
Only those players who were part of the final squad got match allowances and a full kit but they too are awaiting the diet camp allowances and other dues, added a source close to the players.
Goalkeeper Conon Fernandes, who was one of the players dropped ahead of the Games, questioned why the players have to make the long trip from different parts of Goa to Peddem-Mapusa to complete the formalities and submit their documents afresh.
Fernandes, who brushed shoulders with the likes of Dhanraj Pillai and others in the Mumbai Super League as part of the Bank of India a few years back as a youngster, said things could have been done differently.
“Why are they asking the players to make the trip to Mapusa. All the details and the documents can be submitted online; why this merry-go-round for the last one year,” asked the banker.
“We need to respect our players in all respects on and off the ground, that culture is missing especially among Goans Hockey,” he lamented. “What happened to the bank account details submitted by us to SAG,” he wondered.
