The drama being played out by Hockey India and former Indian men’s coach Terry Walsh refuses to end. A day after the Australian indicated his desire to return to India “immediately to resume positive discussions with SAI,” Hockey India has sent a letter to the Sports Authority of India making it clear that the federation did not require the services of Terry Walsh any more.
Further, HI president Narinder Batra has claimed that Walsh was wrongly trying to play martyr for the cause of Indian hockey.
Walsh had written to the SAI and the Sports Ministry saying he was keen to continue working with the Indian team and refute allegations of financial impropriety vis-a-vis his tenure with US Hockey. He had also signalled taking legal recourse for the same, both in USA and India.
Claims challengedBatra, however, has objected to Walsh’s claims. “Sir, we have received a mail from Hockey USA as confidential and as per that the issue of financial irregularity by Terry Walsh in USA is not settled even as of today, hence his contention that his issue with USA was settled in 2012 is false and incorrect,” Batra has written in his letter to SAI director general Jiji Thomson.
“Regarding his showing commitment for players I had, in presence of HI CEO and Mr Oltmans, offered full salary for one month after 19 November, 2014 to Terry Walsh to stay on with the Indian team till Champions Trophy (prior to the issue of USA Hockey coming to our notice) and he refused till SAI agreed, besides other things, on his 120 days paid holiday in Australia. At that time, he showed no concern for the Indian men’s team but now he wants to project himself as martyr before the media,” Batra has written.
Regarding the legal issues, Batra has dared Walsh to go ahead while questioning his motive.
“Walsh has been given sufficient time to clarify on the financial irregularity issue in USA, instead he tried to beat around the bush. Hockey India now does not require services of Mr Terry Walsh…,” he has said.
