New Delhi: With sports minister MS Gill on Thursday approving the proposal of tagging MK Kaushik with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), albeit on deputation, the women’s hockey team coach now would no more need his employer, the Haryana Sports Department’s nod whenever he needs to accompany the side abroad.

Kaushik, who is a deputy director with the Haryana Sports Department, often found it difficult to get leave and travel with his wards.

In a bid to solve the impasse, Gill today approved the proposal to allow Kaushik join SAI on deputation so that he can coach the women’s team full time till 2010 Commonwealth Games.

“The sports minister today (Thursday) approved the proposal and an order to this effect would be issued soon,” said sports ministry sources.

“Kaushik has done an excellent job with the side and the team often found itself handicapped in his absence. The minister didn’t want it to affect their performance and found a way out,” he added.

Though Kaushik himself is unaware of the development, he said it is a welcome move on the part of the government. “Thats a great news for me but I must admit I am ignorant about it. I am really obliged to the sports minister for the noble step,” he said.

“I will appreciate if the government can expedite the process because the formal papers have to go the director of my department after which only I will be cleared.”

Kaushik, who hardly could share his expertise with his wards after he was appointed as the coach, said the step will help him to focus on the 2010 Commonwealth Games preparation. “I hardly spent time with the team. Before the Olympic qualifiers in Kazan, Russia, I coached the team only for two months,” he said. PTI