Walsh sad about the bitter end

Terry Walsh. — PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY

Terry Walsh’s association with Indian hockey is over. The Australian coach, an electrifying scorer in his heyday, was verbally informed on Saturday that his services would not be required anymore as far as Hockey India was concerned.

It effectively meant that India will have a new coach at the forthcoming Champions Trophy to be held in Bhubaneshwar from December 6 to 14.

Walsh, who had replaced compatriot Michael Nobbs as the chief coach last October, told

The Hindu from Perth that it was sad his stint with Indian hockey had to end on such a bitter and disappointing note with HI president N.K. Batra accusing him of having indulged in financial irregularities while working with United States hockey.

Absolutely distressed

“I am obviously very distressed at these accusations. They are most inappropriate and cast aspersions on my dignity and integrity. I had always wanted to help Indian hockey because I loved their style from the time I had played against them. This is nothing short of humiliation. Is this what I deserve for having worked to the best of my abilities with the team the past one year?,” said Walsh, who had kept the window of return open.

Walsh was at a loss to understand the reasons for the deterioration of relations between him and HI. “I was confident that the SAI (Sports Authority of India) and the Sports Ministry understood my plans for the team. There has been a lot of misreporting as far as my demands were concerned. The SAI had supported my stand but it was clear that HI had other ideas,” Walsh asserted.

The Australian contested Batra’s accusations. “I had made my position clear and I was under the impression that things stood sorted out. But I find I have been unfairly accused publicly. I am seeking legal option on taking up this issue with HI,” Walsh claimed.

All along Walsh had drawn up ambitious ideas to improve Indian hockey but recent developments have once again cast uncertainty around the team. The team had shown improvement under his guidance with a silver in the Commonwealth Games and an inspiring gold at the Asian Games when it beat arch rival Pakistan at Incheon. Walsh’s sacking was a throwback to the 1998 episode when coach M.K. Kaushik and six key players had been unceremoniously removed by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) after the team had returned with the Asian Games gold.

“I will be taking up the matter with HI and the Ministry. I will also write to the Sports Minister (Sarbananda Sonowal). I found him very pleasant and understanding. Importantly, I will seek legal help to get HI president to retract his inappropriate remarks about me,” the 60-year-old Walsh stressed.

Walsh had said before leaving for Perth, “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.

Batra had insisted, “I told him if he proved his innocence in the entire matter, I would issue a public apology.” With Walsh ready to begin a legal battle, the last has not been heard in this matter. But Indian hockey is set to rope in a new coach even as indications suggested High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans to be the emergency replacement at the Champions Trophy.