Sahara reward triumphant hockey team Rs 1.27 crore

Monetary rewards continue to trickle in for the Indian men's hockey team. Sahara India Pariwar announced a cash incentive of Rs 1.27 crore for the players and support staff of the side that emerged winners in the just-concluded London Olympics qualifier.

India trounced France 8-1 in the final on Sunday to seal a place in the upcoming London Olympics after having failed to qualify for the Beijing Games four years ago.

It prompted Sahara, the official sponsor of the national game, to reward the players and team officials.

While midfielder Sardar Singh, who was adjudged player of the tournament, and ace drag flicker Sandeep Singh, who scored five goals including a hat-trick in the final, will receive Rs 11 lakh each, the rest of the team members will get Rs 5 lakh each, a statement from Sahara read.

Coach Michael Nobbs will get Rs 5 lakh while the other support staff will also get an incentive of Rs 1 lakh each.

Taxes on the amounts will be borne by the company, the statement added.

"We are very proud that India performed so well in this tournament. Hockey is our national game and we are proud of being associated with it," said Managing Worker and Chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, Subrata Roy.

"This reward is a small token of appreciation from us to encourage the sportsmen and support staff to achieve greater success and bring laurels to our beloved nation through our national sport," he added.

Earlier, the state governments of Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, apart from Hockey India and the Lalit group of hotels, had announced a huge cash awards for the victorious team.

Sahara recently renewed its sponsorship deal with Hockey India for a period of five years at a 170 per cent increase over the past contract period.