Even as the issue regarding chief coach Terry Walsh’s continuation with the Indian hockey team remained unresolved on Tuesday, there was a glimmer of hope following the intervention of Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
A fresh offer is being extended to the Aussie in order to facilitate his stint until the 2016 Olympics.
A day before the expiry of Walsh’s contract, the Sports Minister met the chief coach in the presence of top officials from the Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Hockey India (HI) and thrashed out a formula which compelled Walsh to have a rethink.
“We had a very healthy discussion and we are thankful to Walsh for his contribution to Indian hockey. We need his services. We have appreciated most of his conditions. He has indicated that he will positively decide on the issue that we have discussed today,” Sonowal told reporters.
Welcome sign
Running high on emotions, Walsh said he had been assured of being provided with a fresh set of proposals in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Indications that HI is willing to budge from its stand is also considered to be a welcome sign.
“It is not an easy job. One needs to be in proper frame of mind. It is one of the most difficult tasks. In the hockey world it is probably the most difficult because of the public impact it makes. I need to be calm and collective about what I do and I truly appreciate a couple day’s of patience.
“My contract obviously finishes tomorrow and we are very keen to move forward towards the Olympic Games in 2016,” said Walsh, who is set to fly back home on Wednesday.
In an interaction with the press, Walsh, who had been accused of financial malpractice by Hockey India president Narinder Batra, categorically denied any wrongdoing.
“It’s something that’s come from US field hockey but it’s something has been covered off some 18 months ago. I have spoken to Mr. Batra about it. I have given clear indications that what’s been going on in the press is unacceptable and there needs to be a retraction from that perspective. There’s no problem in that area and it’s just an unacceptable situation,” Walsh insisted.
Bone of contention
The primary reason for the impasse, he said, was finding a solution to his proposal of working from Perth. “The bone of contention, at the moment, is really to be able to spend more work time in my Perth office, when we don’t have the necessary programmes running in India, something that’s been misconstrued as a holiday.
“Working out of the home base is difficult and working out the arrangements of how to do it is where the whole piece really is. SAI has been very helpful but there are huge, significant problems that we are trying to find a solution to,” Walsh said.
He said a final decision would be taken by the weekend, depending on the proposal he receives from SAI, but was hopeful of returning to India in time for the Champions Trophy.
The most positive statement on the matter, however, came from High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans, who was part of the committee formed to look into renewal of Walsh’s contract.
“I am not prepared to not see him at Champions Trophy. We will inform you about the exact status before the team leaves on November 27 and you can see him there,” he said.
