KARACHI: The Karachi Hockey Association (KHA), for the very first time, on Wednesday announced central contracts for 24 players – 12 each from junior and senior categories – for a period of six months. As per KHA secretary Haider Hussain, the contracts handed out are divided into A and B categories. “Three of the seniors from A category will pocket Rs10,000 on a monthly basis, while nine others placed in B category will get Rs7,000 each,” said Hussain while informing that the contracts would be reviewed and renewed after six months, based on the performance and discipline of the candidates. “Meanwhile, Junior A category’s four players will get Rs5,000 each, whereas the remaining eight in the Junior B category will net Rs3,000 apiece.” Hussain further said that the Karachi District Association (KDA), as a hockey department, had provided jobs to 20 players, as a result KHA had moved to rescind the contracts of 13 of them, perhaps to avoid double employment. Meanwhile, KHA president Dr Junaid Ali Shah explained the reason for issuing the aforementioned contracts. “The players who are passionate about our national sport should have the opportunity to practice and not face any restrictions such as coming to the club every day,” he said. Shah also said that the contracts would help the players hone their skills and go a long way in reviving the national sport.