New Delhi, Nov 13:
The Sports Ministry today appointed a three-member panel comprising former India hockey captains Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar and Zafar Iqbal to assess the demands made by Terry Walsh to stay on as the chief coach of the national team.
The panel has little time to decide on the future of Walsh, who has categorically said that he won’t continue after his contract expires on November 19, if he doesn’t have his way in running of the team.
Sports secretary Ajit Sharan said the Ministry wants Walsh to carry on.
“I have constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Ajit Pal Singh, also comprising Ashok Kumar and Zafar Iqbal.
“This committee along with representatives from Hockey India and High Performance Director (Roelant Oltmans), will see to what extent Walsh’s demands are reasonable, to what extent we can go along and so on. We would obviously like to retain him if possible,” Sharan told PTI adding that the panel most likely will give their opinion to the ministry in a day or two.
Walsh’s sudden resignation last month came as a surprise to many after he guided India to their first Asian Games gold in 16 years. A day later however the the Australian agreed to continue in his role provided his conditions were fulfilled.
Last week, India stunned World Champions Australia in Perth under Walsh’s guidance. (PTI)
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