Indian national coach Terry Walsh, now doors shut by procurer Hockey India despite provider Sports Authority of India willing, wrote a letter expressing his interest to return to India to train national men’s team, against which HI president Narinder Batra replied which in effect seek to effectively shut the doors of Walsh’s return unless something dramatic happens. We in www.stick2hockey.com present both letters the personalities wrote to the Minister of Sports, Govt of India, in verbatim leaving the readers to make their own inference.
TERRY WALSH’S EMAIL LETTER DATED NOV 24, 2014
TO
Sports Minister,
Government of India.
Mr Sarbananda Sonowal.
Dear Minister,
May I thank you again for your generosity in affording me time earlier this month to discuss some of the difficulties currently facing the Indian national hockey team.
In view of the publicity being generated at present I thought I should clarify my position and in doing so ensure that your department is fully apprised of events as they have unfolded since our meeting.
May I repeat that SAI has continued to be most cooperative, positive and forward-looking in the discussions with me and my staff. They have already begun to implement some procedural reforms which is most pleasing.
I will keep faith with SAI and undertake to accede to their request to continue to coach the national team in the medium-term subject to the resolution of several issues with Hockey India. Hopefully truth and common sense will prevail in the interests of the game.
One issue that has clouded discussions has been the introduction of a reprehensible allegation relating to my tenure with the USA Field Hockey Federation. The allegation is baseless and has already been refuted by US Hockey officials. It is still being peddled. I have instituted legal proceedings in the United States to seek restitution and protect my reputation. I am considering similar actions in India. This is very unfortunate and distracts from the task of placing Indian hockey on an upward path to modern practices and procedures.
Regardless of the nature of my future involvement in India I remain committed to my players. I believe that feeling is reciprocated. They are a fine bunch of men. Hockey is part of the soul of India and they are conscious of their responsibility in this regard.
Finally I remain willing to return to India immediately to resume positive discussions with SAI and at the same time publicly refute the detestable misinformation being introduced into the public arena. My earnest wish is that Hockey India joins with us to enable the national team to begin its preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games free of controversy and irrelevant other issues.
I sincerely thank you for your kindness and interest.
Terry then also requested Jiji Thampson, Director General of Sports Authority of India to provide ‘copy of the USAFH document tabled in the meeting on the 17th November at the SAI offices be forwarded to me as it contains key information critical to accusations being made against me. This will allow fair and reasonable response from my side to clear my name.
NARINDER BATRA’S EMAIL LETTER DATED NOV 25, 2014
Sir,
We have received a mail from Hockey USA as confidential and as per that mail the issue of financial irregularity by Mr Walsh in USA is not settled even as of today, hence his contention that his issue with USA was settled in 2012 is false and incorrect.
Further Mr Terry Walsh thru press and media has been threatening to file legal cases, we fail to understand what is stopping him. Mr Walsh has been given sufficient time to clarify on the financial irregularity issue in USA and instead he tried to beat around the bush. Hockey India now does not require services of Mr Terry Walsh and will look for a new chief coach with prior approval of SAI.
Regarding his showing commitment for players, I had in presence of HI CEO and Mr Oltmans offered full salary for one month after 19 November, 2014 to Terry Walsh to stay on with the Indian team till Champions Trophy ( but this was prior to the issue of USA Hockey coming to our notice ) and he refused to stay back till SAI agreed besides other things on his 120 days paid holiday in Australia and at that time he showed no concern for the Indian Men team, now he wants to project himself as martyr before the media and Hockey India a villain.