IOA back hockey players' statements

NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association on Thursday backed Asia Cup winning hockey players' statements on the 'step-motherly treatment' meted out to them, saying Olympic sportspersons' achievements go unnoticed in the country.
   
"We fully support the statements made by prominent hockey players regarding the lack of support and step motherly treatment accorded to them," said a press release jointly issued by IOA President Suresh Kalmadi and General Secretary Randhir Singh.
   
"At present, while the entire country celebrates the achievements of the Indian cricket team that won the twenty20 World Cup, there is a strong feeling that the splendid achievements of Olympic Sports persons who bring glory to nation are not given due recognition," they said.
   
Four hockey players and the national coach from Karnataka, in an unprecedented move after the Twenty20 World Champions cricketers were showered with bonanzas by the state government yesterday, threatened to go on hunger strike, alleging their Asia Cup achievements was overlooked.
   
"We feel the success of all sports persons who excel at the international level should be adequately appreciated and all sports persons, who toil for the prestige of the country should be equally recognised and rewarded," the release added.
   
"We appeal to all sports lovers, corporate houses and state governments to be generous and equally acknowledge and reward the achievements of all Indian sports persons," it said.