SAI orders Olympian to stay with the womens team
A day after Sports Authority of India (SAI) ordered MK Kaushik to continue coaching the womens team, the beleaguered coach admitted that he was to be blamed for the royal muddle.
Following the Indian Womens Hockey Federations (IWHF) allegation that Kaushik cannot take over as the mens team coach since he is still involved with them, SAI intervened in the matter and ordered the Olympian to stay with the IWHF.
“I have got the SAI order to join the womens team but for the whole episode I admit that I was at fault. After the selectors approached me, I committed myself and they said that they would get it cleared… But that didnt happen and I find myself at the receiving end,” Kaushik told DNA on Sunday.
Kaushik is till putting up a brave face.
“I will join the womens team tomorrow (Monday)… I have no problems working with them. I will enjoy in the same way I have been doing so far,” Kaushik said.
According to sources, the selection committee was a divided house and Kaushiks appointment was far from unanimous.
“Two members (Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal) wanted him to don the mantle while Dhanraj Pillay was in favour of Harendra Singh. Aslam Sher Khan advocated for a foreigner,” a highly-placed source revealed on Sunday.
The recommendations were sent to the ad-hoc panel who announced Kaushiks appointment.
AK Bansal and Harendra Singh are likely to continue coaching the mens team.