Coach Harinder fell at the feet of players to urge them not to mar World Cup plans

Though India's hockey players did not participate in training for the fifth consecutive day, a match did take place here yesterday. It was not played with hockey sticks, but with words between Hockey India officials and the players.

The players felt that their bosses were wrong in holding back their dues, while the officials accused the players of putting money before the country.

Maharashtra Hockey Association secretary Ikram Khan, who was present at the acrimonious meeting between players and officials told MiD DAY that chief coach Harinder Singh was in tears and fell at the feet of the players to beg them not to mar next month's World Cup.

The World Cup will be played in New Delhi. Twelve countries including Australia, Germany, Spain and Pakistan are taking part in hockey's biggest event.

It is learnt that support staff members, Romeo James and Ramandeep Singh tried to intervene but with no success. They wanted to be paid Rs 4.5 lakh each.

"Taking such a hard stand is uncalled for as 20 out of 22 players are working for public sector firms while the remaining two are drawing stipends.u00a0 Monetary issues can be addressed at some other time but now the nation's pride is at stake," said Khan.

Hockey India chief A K Mattoo said that it was not possible to give in to the players' demands since the association was facing a cash crunch.