'Rs 1 crore raised for women's hockey

Money poured in for the protesting women hockey players on Friday with Sports Minister MS Gill announcing that Rs 1.1 crore has been pooled in for the girls.

Gill said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan has agreed to give Rs 1 crore while Vinay Rai, who educational foundation, has promised another Rs 10 lakh.

"I went to an ASSOCHAM programme this morning and requested industry chieftains to make generous contribution to uplift hockey. I talked about the plight of the women players and Mr Rai decided to donate Rs 10 lakh," Gill said.

The Sports Minister said he also met Chauhan where both discussed about the women hcokey players, who are wearing black arm band, in protest against their non-payment of dues and incentives.

"I asked Mr Chouhan to help the girls and he said he would do whatever he could," Gill said.