Ashish Ballal recalls 1998 row

09 January,2010 07:07 AM IST |   |  Sudheendra Tripathi

Former India goalkeeper Ashish Ballal, who played a critical role in India's Asian Games triumph in 1998 and was also one among the six members to be dropped after the airport fiasco


Former India goalkeeper Ashish Ballal, who played a critical role in India's Asian Games triumph in 1998 and was

Ashish Ballal
also one among the six members to be dropped after the airport fiasco, felt that a spillover of frustration has prompted the 22 probables to resort to such measures.


"I am certain it is not just about the money. Indian hockey administrators have never thought of the well-being of players. All they have done is tried to create cracks in the bond between players," said Ballal.

Would things have changed had the six players, who were dropped in 1998 got the backing of the entire team? "I am not too sure if that would have happened.

Like I said, administrators in hockey have always put their interests ahead of players. I am sure they (administrators) would have dropped the entire team had they voiced their opinion against our dropping," Ballal said.

Ballal might be doubtful if any good will happen with this unprecedented revolt of players, but one thing is certain, Hockey India is pitted against a determined lot this time.
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Sports Hokcey Former India goalkeeper Ashish Ballal