Women's hockey team protests with black arm-bands

They don't plan to go on strike like their male counterparts but the Indian women hockey players protested the non-payment of their dues nevertheless by wearing black armbands during the training session of a Commonwealth Games preparatory camp in Bhopal on Thursday.

"The Indian women's hockey core group comprising 40-odd players participated in the three-hour long practice session wearing black arm bands," the team's chief coach M K Kaushik said.

"As of now they have no plan to refrain from playing in the preparatory camp," he added.

Kaushik said his wards want facilities akin to their male counterparts.

When asked if the non-payment of dues to the women players will affect their performance during the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Cup this year, he said he would try his best to prevent such a scenario.

"I am trying to keep them in good spirits and ensuring that the dues problem doesn't hit their performance in the upcoming mega events," Kaushik said.

The core group had got an assurance from the HI over their dues payment, sources close to them said.

The players have not received their dues since April 2008, and hence the core group decided to sport black bands in protest.

The team has also opened a bank account and asked fans to support their cause.