Shivraj Chouhan announces reward of Rs1 lakh for hockey players

In the backdrop of a controversy over a paltry monetary offer of Hockey India to winners of Asian Champions Trophy, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a reward of Rs one lakh each to the members of the winning squad, official sources said today.

Chouhan made the announcement from China where he is taking part in the ongoing World Economic Forum meet, they said.

According to them, when Chouhan was apprised about the paltry monetary offer and subsequent resentment against it among players, he immediately announced the award to each member of the squad.

The hockey team, which won the Asian Champions Trophy in China after beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final on Sunday, Thursday rejected HI's Rs25,000 cash reward to each player, saying the paltry amount was not proper recognition of their achievement.

However, hours after Indian players rejected the offer, cash rewards trickled in for them with the Sports Ministry announcing Rs1.5 lakh each and Punjab government pitching in with Rs25 lakh to the team for winning the Asian Champions Trophy.