Peacemaker Dhanraj Pillay to skip India's World Cup opener

Updated on: 28 February,2010 07:07 AM IST |
Ashwin Ferro | ashwin.ferro@mid-day.com

Four-time Olympian and one of the most prominent faces of modern Indian hockey, Dhanraj Pillay will not be in the stands to watch the crucial India vs Pakistan FIH World Cup hockey match at the Dhyan Chand Stadium today

According to a source, Pillay is miffed with Hockey India expecting former players to fill out a police verification form if they wish to be issued match tickets for the Feb 28-March 13th World Cup being held in the Capital.

"The price of tickets is not too great and Pillay as well as other former players can afford tickets quite easily.

However, this is a matter of principle.

"Hockey India are citing security reasons for their unreasonable demand which Pillay feels is an insult to the credibility of the players who have made the country proud in the field of hockey over the years," a source told MiD DAY.

The source added that Pillay is feeling used by Indian Olympic Association.
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"When the IOA needed to sort out the players' money issue recently,u00a0 Pillay was requested at 1 am to come to Pune and the player readily obliged. And today, the very same people in the IOA are avoiding Pillay's phone calls. It's really sad."

Pillay meanwhile refused to get into details, but confirmed to SUNDAY MiD DAY that he will not be travelling to Delhi to watch the Indo-Pak clash.

"I'd like to wish the boys all the best though and I hope they start this World Cup campaign with a win against Pakistan," he said.

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