Terry Walsh may after all stay on as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team. In a development that could make the Australian change his mind and withdraw the sudden resignation, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said it was ready to meet the demands of the chief coach including giving him more freedom in the decision-making process.
SAI had a “lengthy, free and frank” discussion with Walsh, two days after he tendered his resignation, following which the body said it would come up with a renewed contract before November 19, the last day of Walsh's contract with the national team.
Walsh, on his part, said that he has not withdrawn his resignation, but hinted that the impasse might soon end as the concerned parties were “trying to come up with a better solution” to move forward. “I haven't withdrawn my resignation nor anyone has tried to push me to do so. We are trying to come up with a better solution to move forward. November 19 is the deadline for us to make sure that those things are in place and then we can move forward very effectively,” he said.
“It's not a change of heart. It's to ensure that steps should be taken to take us to a better tomorrow. And we have to take those steps today. During the discussion, he (Walsh) made it very clear that he has no problems with regard to the tax deduction or remuneration. His major concern was about the lack of functional autonomy in deciding the technical matters relating to hockey,” SAI director General Jii Thomson said in a statement.
“He was of the view that he, along with the High Performance Director (Roelant Oltmans), need to be given more freedom in the decision-making process. “From SAI side, we have absolutely no issues on this. This is a matter that needs to be discussed with Hockey India.” Thomson said SAI was planning to convene a meeting under the chairmanship of the sports minister “for thrashing out this issue.”
Walsh had also raised the issue of the number of holidays he was entitled to and SAI said it could be sorted out. “We have expressed our readiness to reconsider the holiday package,” Thomson said.
Thomson further said that SAI also asked Walsh to help the body in preparing a long-term development plan for hockey.
“Walsh has not withdrawn his resignation. As per the contract, he has to give one month notice for resignation. Since the resignation will officially come into effect from November 19, 2014, it was decided that the contract will be renewed before November 19, incorporating these clauses,” Thomson said.
