Twitter
Advertisement

As talk break down, Hockey India president tells Terry Walsh his services aren't required

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

 "I spoke to (Hockey India high-performance director) Roelant Oltmans and he informed me that (HI president Narinder) Batra didn't want me to come back to India as head coach for the Champions Trophy
—Terry Walsh

For all you know, the Indian hockey team will go into next month's Champions Trophy without a head coach.

In another twist, Hockey India (HI) president Narinder Batra has informed the just-resigned Terry Walsh that his services aren't required for the tournament that will be played in Bhubaneshwar from December 6-14.

Walsh, who flew back to Australia on Wednesday, was to decide his next move during the weekend. Walsh was sent a fresh set of proposals, addressing his demands, by Union sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal and the six-member committee appointed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

That, however, doesn't seem an issue at all now. Though Walsh hasn't received the proposals yet, the Australian said both parties agreed to the demands in principle and he did not need a written communication in that regard. Batra's latest salvo, however, has taken Walsh by surprise.

"I spoke to (high-performance director) Roelant Oltmans and he informed me that Batra didn't want me to come back to India as head coach for the Champions Trophy," Walsh told dna from Perth on Saturday. "I called Batra up to check if it was true, and he said it was. He told me that I could come over if I wanted to, but my services as head coach weren't required for the tournament. Now, I don't know what his issues are, but this clearly is getting some sort of a personal fight as far as he is concerned."

It is understood that neither SAI nor the sports ministry is aware of Batra's latest decision. Walsh said his issues — including that of working from home for a longer duration, functional autonomy and financial returns — were agreed to by SAI and sports ministry officials in a set of fresh proposals before his departure for Australia. Walsh reiterated that it wasn't necessary for him to receive a hard copy of these proposals, for they were agreed to in principle.

"It seems to me now that the only person in the entire set-up that does not want me to continue and take Indian hockey forward is Batra. I don't know why he's doing this and what problems he has with me, but the easiest thing he can do is pick up his phone and sort out all the differences with me. That's what professional people do," Walsh said.

The 61-year-old Walsh said he is in the process of initiating legal proceedings against Batra who alleged that the Aussie had committed "financial fraud" during his time with USA Hockey. "Those allegations by him were outrageous and completely false. The managing director of the company has already written a letter, completely contradicting Batra's claims. He still hasn't cleared the air on that. And if I'm leaving the programme, I'm going to leave it with my name cleared," he said.

Walsh also questioned the timing of Batra's allegations. "The issue that he has brought up is two years old. Why did he have to bring it up now? Mind you, he is known for such outrageous comments and behaviour," he added.

The two-time Olympian said he will write a letter to the sports minister either on Sunday or Monday, thanking him for his support and desire in agreeing to the changes suggested by him. In short, the demands are no longer the issue now. "It's really unfortunate that this whole thing has been reduced to Batra's personal problems with me. He is clearly not able to trust me. His decision will only leave the players more confused going into an important tournament like the Champions Trophy, and that's the sad part," Walsh said.

rutvick.mehta@dnaindia.net

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement