For an Indian hockey player, it’s like a dream come true — international recognition followed by sponsors taking a serious interest in the game. The entry of Sahara as sponsors of the Indian hockey team — though details of the deal are yet to be disclosed, even after two days — has given the players hope of a better life. Because, unlike in cricket, where financial rewards pour in almost on debut, hockey players — even the stars — live on the edge. Even Dhanraj Pillay, with international recognition, a Padma Shri and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, had to struggle to find a job last year. Pillay’s previous employers, Mahindras, had shut down their hockey team some years before and, though he was the only player allowed to stay on, there was no hockey action in the company. Pillay finally managed to find a job with Indian Airlines as an Assistant Manager. Some of his teammates who’d got jobs with different PSUs after shining at the Junior World Cup had to give up their education for representing the country. Bimal Lakra, the lynchpin of the Indian midfield, was selected at a junior level and is now struggling to complete his senior secondary education. His employers, Indian Airlines, take education qualification as an important criterion. His midfield colleague Viren Rasquinha was twice selected for an MBA course but had to leave both times because he was called for national duty — first for the Junior World Cup and then the senior side. With an MBA degree Rasquinha could probably have boasted of a six-figure amount; he now earns less than Rs 25,000 per month working for an oil PSU. Another problem some of these players face is having to live in small towns while they need a base in some big city. One player asked his parents to build a house for him in a metro. He says, ‘‘I get around Rs 17,000 from my employers and there was no way could I operate from the interiors. It wasn’t easy for my parents but there was no option. I can’t imagine buying a house on my own from my salary.’’ Apart from their salary, international-level players do make some money from hockey. Players have to devote time for their employers — it’s mandatory to represent your employer in domestic tournaments. For a fee, of course: national players in the Indian Oil team get Rs 400 as daily allowance during tournaments but for the camps, each player gets just Rs 40 per day from the company. In contrast, a Ranji player stands to get Rs 25,000 per match. With a figure of Rs 20-25 crore being touted as the IHF’s intake from Sahara, the players would be justified in expecting a rise in their fees. While IHF chief KPS Gill has ruled out match fees, there is surely room for negotiation. After all, the game thrives on the players; it’s time the players thrive on the game.
