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Team to leave sans a goalkeeping coach

DESPITE their poor track record in the past few years, women’s hockey has been in the safe zone for quite some time now.

On paper the Indian Olympic Association ( IOA) may be the new bearers of hockey in the country but the change in power has not affected the Indian Women’s Hockey Association (IWHF) as the same administrators remain in control.

Last year the IWHF faced much criticism, from the selection of their coach to the payment of dues to players and also the ageold problem of team selection.

While chief coach MK Kaushik’s return was seen as a positive change, the teams received another jolt before their tour to Argentina with goalkeeping coach AB Subbaiah quitting his post.

Subbaiah had earlier quit the post after the 2006 Doha Asian Games after his wife fell seriously ill but then, after some coaxing by the federation officials, he returned in 2007.

“ He is no longer with the team. He has been gone for quite some time, only there was no formal announcement,” a IWHF source told M AIL T ODAY . The source did not give a reason for the coach’s departure, and only said that he left because of “ family reasons”. An IWHF official said that his differences with the federation were another reason for quitting.

“ He has given a list of requests to the IWHF simply asking for more professionalism and accountability in the Federation’s working and management.

Sadly, they did not fulfil any of the clauses and he had no choice but to leave,” said the official on the condition of anonymity.

When contacted, Subbaiah confirmed the report about his quitting but said that he will help the team and coach Kaushik whenever they need him. “ I’ve been away for a long time. Apart for some personal reasons I had some problems with the management and so I decided to quit my post,” said Subbaiah. “ But I’m always there when the team needs me. I have tremendous respect for Kaushik sir and if he ever needs my help I will be there for him.” Whatever the reason for his departure, in the end it will be the players who will suffer without the services of a goalkeeping coach. And with their regular goalkeeper Marita Tirkey also injured, the team would have needed him more than ever.

Courtesy: Mail Today