Win Asiad gold or get the axe: SAI to Walsh, Oltmans
Written by Mihir Vasavda
Sports Authority of India (SAI) has informed Hockey India (HI) that if the national team fails to win gold at this year’s Asian Games, it would be curtains for chief coach Terry Walsh and high performance director Roelant Oltmans. HI secretary general Narendra Batra has been reportedly told that failure would mean the end of the duo’s tenure with the men’s hockey team.
SAI has a major say in the hiring and firing of coaches as it pays their salaries. Walsh is reported to be paid $12,500 per month, while Oltmans draws $15,000 a month. “The SAI officials are of the opinion that if the coaches cannot guide India to regional glory, then their positions might be untenable. This has been told to HI,” a source said.
The Commonwealth Games begin on July 23 in Glasgow and the Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Incheon in September. Hockey India has set the Asian Games gold, which will ensure an Olympic berth, as a target for Walsh’s side. India had won a bronze at the 2010 Asian Games. Even then, chief coach Jose Brasa was shown the door for failing to win the yellow metal.
Sources said SAI had considered the option of getting rid of Walsh and Oltmans immediately after the World Cup, where India finished a disappointing ninth. However, top SAI officials were of the opinion then that it would have been ‘harsh’ and ‘unfair’ to take such a step. ]
“It wouldn’t have been right to act immediately after the World Cup. The coaches need to be given time and enough opportunities rather than just one tournament. More importantly, it wouldn’t have been right to take action against coaches so close to two major tournaments (Commonwealth and Asian Games),” the source said.
According to the source, SAI director general Jiji Thomson has also written a note to Batra, expressing his anguish over the team’s performance in the World Cup last month. Thomson had travelled to The Hague to witness India’s matches and his critical note to Batra is believed to be the reason behind an in-depth, three-day postmortem of India’s ninth place finish.
South korea: the biggest hurdle
India won just one match in the group stage, against Malaysia, and lost three and drew one. They ended their campaign placed ninth after beating South Korea in the playoff match. In all likelihood, South Korea will also be India’s biggest hurdle at the Asian Games.
Thomson couldn’t be reached for comment while Batra said he wasn’t aware of any such move by SAI. “Winning the Asian Games gold is our priority but there is no such communication from SAI. The coaches have our full backing. Right now, we are completely focussed on the CWG and not thinking so far ahead,” Batra said.