Hockey players of the G.V. Raja Sports School continued to abstain from training for the third consecutive day even as conciliatory talks between the Directorate of Public Instructions (DPI) officials and the two hockey coaches remained inconclusive.

Additional DPI, Krishnankutty, Sports Organiser Chacko Joseph and the school PTA president Somarajan held discussions with the two coaches Ramesh Kolappa and Jayakumar here on Thursday.

The coaches said they were willing to resume coaching if status quo was maintained. The PTA president also supported the coaches. Chacko Joseph maintained that the coaches were not removed and the new coach was only appointed to reduce their workload.

Mr. Krishnankutty heard all parties and said he would submit the report to the DPI. The row started when the education department had appointed a new hockey coach at the school when already Ramesh Kolappa and Jayakumar were doing voluntary service for the last 11 years.

The stalemate has hit the G.V. Raja’s preparation for the Nehru Cup all-India hockey tournament which will begin on October 3.