NEW DELHI: The Project Leader of the International Hockey Federation-backed ‘Promoting Indian Hockey,’ Bob Davidzon, has said that Ric Charlesworth’s departure from India has delayed the progress of the project at least by a year.

Describing the Aussie legend’s premature separation from Indian hockey as “very regretful,” Davidzon said success of the project would depend on the will power of the Indian authorities.

“Operational plans have been produced for most of the areas of concern. They have to be executed under the umbrella of the Indian Hockey Confederation, which is restructuring itself and a new time-plan has not been agreed yet. Follow-up discussions will take place in August,” he said.

“The view of the FIH is very clear, but the burning question is how keen are the decision-makers in India with both the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games (2010) round the corner and the 2012 Olympics on the horizon,” Davidzon told The Hindu in a communication.

On the Sports Authority of India’s style of functioning, Davidzon said, “Flexibility, delegation of authority and fast decision taking are basic ingredients these days. It could be very helpful to Indian sport in general when stakeholders in the decision processes — be it the Government, associations, federations and sponsors — acquire best practice procedures from such successful countries.”

About a replacement for Charlesworth, Davidzon said the selection would be made by the Ad Hoc Committee of the Indian Olympic Association.