I want the money but I also want to play Olympics: Walmiki

“On one hand,I need the money to give my family a permanent residence and on the other hand,I want to fulfill my dream of representing the country at the Olympics,” he said.

Walmiki came back to a hero’s welcome after scoring a decisive penalty stroke in the final against Pakistan at the Asian Champions Trophy,his debut tournament. He received an award of Rs 10 lakh and a promise of a Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority (MHADA) residence.

Three months on,after a successful stint during the Champions Challenge,the promise of a house is yet to transpire. “Even the initial process of drawing up the papers have not started,” said Walmiki.

In fact,even the 10 per cent advance fee promised by the WSH has not come about. “Players who have signed after March 31 will receive the payment in the last week before the tournament starts as informed by the WSH,” he said. Meanwhile,the Walmikis continue to stay in the 100 sq.ft. shanty,which doesn’t have regular running water.

While the players will make a call in a week’s time,they will feel the squeeze from both WSH and Hockey India. Walmiki,however,just wants to be on the hockey field. “The players should play and officials should take these decisions,” he said.

Australia beat Pak in CT

AUCKLAND: Australia beat Pakistan and the Netherlands drew with New Zealand to remain unbeaten at the end of pool play of the men’s Champions Trophy on Tuesday.

Captain Jamie Dwyer scored a hat-trick,taking his tally of goals in the tournament to six,as World No. 1 and defending champion Australia beat Pakistan 6-1 to top Pool A. The win was Australia’s largest over Pakistan in a world-level event.

New Zealand captain Dean Couzins scored from a penalty stroke with two minutes left to earn New Zealand a 3-3 draw with the Netherlands and claim second place in Pool B. The Netherlands topped the pool with two wins and a draw. In other games,Spain beat Britain 8-1 to take second place in Pool A while South Korea and Germany drew 3-3.

Dwyer opened the scoring for Australia in the 22nd minute against ninth-ranked Pakistan when his cross within the circle was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar. Eddie Ockenden doubled the margin when he lashed home a powerful reverse stick effort four minutes later,completing the first half scoring.

Santi Freixa and Roc Oliva both scored twice as Spain crushed Britain 8-1 to reach the top four for the eighth time and the first since 2008. The win was Spain’s biggest at the Champions Trophy.