New Indian Express: Azlan Shah Cup: Walsh Still Hurt

By Swaroop Swaminathan

Australia’s Terry Walsh, one of the most successful Team India coaches, is a relaxed man these days. The tension is missing and his sound bytes don’t have to be guarded. Here for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Walsh speaks about Indian hockey, his regrets and joy while coaching the national team and various factions. Excerpts…

His time with the Indian national team

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am privileged to be part of some significant successes. I was very disappointed that it was cut short, but that happens. The processes in India continue to be the same. We tried to alter a few of those, and this (the sacking) is the outcome of that. It had nothing to do with competency or the level at which the team was playing.

On the team’s performances under him

Gold at the Asian Games was a good thing, but in terms of performance, the one where we beat Australia in Australia in November 2014 (India beat the Kookaburras 3-1 to register a first ever bilateral win) was the best thing. Performance-wise, we were playing at a high level. With all due respect to the Asian Games, the level of hockey isn’t world class.

How India has changed since he departed

A lot of things have changed, and only time will tell what will transpire. The hope is players are taken into consideration in the development of the game. The latest bunch have the potential to be one of the top sides to come out of India in modern times. A lot of people don’t necessarily have a high regard for players of today, as compared to the players of yesteryear.

On relationship with successor Roelant Oltmans

Roelant was there 12 months before I came in. He was basically in and around the national programme that was based in New Delhi. That was perfectly fine. What we were able to do is establish some sort of security and consistency. Even though it was only for 12 months, the players had a clear idea about things.

On SAI and Hockey India

There was a turnaround from Dr (Narinder) Batra under the guise of financial issues with USA (Batra had accused Walsh of committing financial misconduct to the tune of $176,000 during his time as Technical Director of USA Field Hockey) when there was no such thing. It’s a well known fact that Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Dr Batra don’t see eye to eye (at least when Walsh was in charge). I just happened to be a piece in the middle. India don’t have an ounce of consistency, but if the ones who run the sport change their ways, getting podium finishes in big events is possible. The federation needs people who understand what needs to be done, rather than just satisfy the whims of the white boys in the house.