Players from Dhoni, Raina-owned hockey teams not paid salary

MS Dhoni (L) and Suresh Raina

Players from Ranchi Rays and Uttar Pradesh Wizards are yet to receive their dues for their participation in the Hockey India League (HIL). MS Dhoni, along with Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, owns the Rays while Suresh Raina is the co-owner of the Wizards.

Amounts up to Rs 2 to 3 crores have been unpaid to the team members. The HIL is the world’s most lucrative hockey tournament with Ranchi Rays making its debut in this year’s edition of the tournament.

Even the coaching staff has not been paid fully. Former Wizards coach, Roelant Oltmans – India’s high-performance Director – confirmed that he is owed money. However, he said he was not worried about the payment.

“The team owner would pay sooner or later,” he said.

With the Hockey World League semis in Belgium coming up, players are refusing to speak up and voice their concerns over fears of losing their place in the squad.

“No one is speaking about the money due to fear of losing their place in the national team,” said a member of the Belgium-bound Indian team.

Hockey India (HI) President Narinder Batra claimed that all payments due to the franchises have been made by HI and said that they have not received any complaint from any team member. “No one has complained to us,” said Batra.

Payment for the HIL is made in phases with the final instalment made before the team’s final match or a week after that by the latest, according to rules.