Pune: The ad hoc committee looking after the affairs of men’s hockey will appoint a foreign coach for the men’s team, it was announced on Tuesday at a press conference addressed by Suresh Kalmadi, president of Indian Olympic Association.

Tayyab Ikram, coaching manager, Federation de Internationale Hockey (FIH) who was also present at the press conference said, “The FIH has endorsed this request asking for a foreign coach for the Indian team. At this stage there is a real need to appoint a foreign coach. There is a lot of talent and potential in Indian boys and all they need is an able driver.’’

A list of seven names has been submitted to the technical panel of the ad hoc committee and they will get back to Kalmadi and the appointment will be made at the earliest.