HI

Fact 1: Quoting Hockey India President, head cheapstake, A.K.Mattoo, when asked about the players’ demand of Rs. 4.5 lakhs each –

“It adds up to nearly Rs. 1.08 crore. We don’t have that kind of money. We told them we have around Rs 30 lakh in our kitty and are ready to distribute Rs. 20 lakh. But it seems, for them, money is more important than playing for the country.”

Fact 2: Some figures released by Sahara India, in their annual report –

“Sahara India has signed a four-year deal with India’s shooting, boxing and wrestling federations, paying the players Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh per year, without adoring any logo.

Sahara had also struck a deal with Hockey India for the men and women’s team, but here, due to the complicated structure of this ad-hoc body, the money is paid to the federation itself. Thus there is no cash incentive for the players. In keeping with this deal, Hockey India received Rs. 1.78 crore for May 2009 to April 2010.”

So, in a teacup: HI received, from a single sponsor, Rs. 1.78 crore. HI Chief, Mr. Mattoo tells us, they have Rs 30 lakh ‘in their kitty’.

So the question is, where was the remaining Rs. 1,48,00,000 spent, Mr Mattoo?

Did you get yourself a new Mercedes?