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Pay disputes made him resign
Indian men’s hockey team coach Terry Walsh has resigned. The move comes as a huge surprise as only recently he guided the national team to glory in the Incheon Asian Games and in the process helped the team secure a 2016 Rio Olympics berth. The celebrated Australian has been vocal about the need to put in place a systematic programme, which will allow the sport to thrive in the country.
Walsh also blamed the sports bureaucracy in the nation for his decision.
It may be recalled that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) which takes care of his salary, hasn’t been enjoying a great relationship with Hockey India with both parties taking a dig at each other. It is interesting to note that SAI was preparing to carry out a performance review of all foreign coaches, including Terry Walsh and even indicated before the Asian Games that nothing less than a gold at Asiad will justify the hefty salary he is paid.
It will be really sad if the differences between SAI and HI was a reason for the former making things difficult for Walsh. The timing of Walsh’s resignation is even more pertinent as the national team is slated to leave for Perth next week to play in a four-test series against World champions Australia.
His letter to SAI
In a letter written to SAI Director General Jiji Thomson on October 19, Walsh felt that his time with the team increased stress in his personal life.
"I am finding considerable difficulty adjusting to the decision-making style of the sporting bureaucracy in India which I believe, in the long term, is not in the best interests of Indian hockey or its players. In addition to my difficulties with not being able to professionally operate within these bureaucratic confines I am not willing to continue with the constant time away from my family in Australia. My current commitment places too much stress on my personal life."
Walsh’s contract ends on November 19 ahead of the Champions trophy scheduled to take place in India from December 6-14.
