I’m disappointed at the treatment: Mukesh Kumar

V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

Triple Olympian N. Mukesh Kumar says that he refuses to be the assistant coach of the junior India hockey team which has started its camp in Bangalore as part of the long-term programme for next year’s World Cup preparations.

“I am disappointed with the way I have been treated. When I was called to monitor the selection trials in Jalandhar to pick the pool of players I was told that I would be the chief coach of the junior national team,” Mukesh told The Hindu on his return to Hyderabad after Hockey India named Harendra Singh as the chief coach at the last minute.

“I was shocked when I landed in Bangalore yesterday (Thursday), reached the centre and asked for accommodation allotted for the chief coach. I was told that it was not for me but for Harendra,” Mukesh said.

“I did speak to some of the officials concerned on this subject but there was a lot of ambiguity which they tried to clarify. And, left with no option, I decided to pack up and come back home,” the renowned yesteryear right-winger said.

“Even my employers got a letter from Hockey India asking me to be relieved since I was appointed chief coach. But now, there has been this sudden change of mind,” Mukesh said. “I decided to take up coaching as I wanted to give back something to the sport and thought the best way is to start training juniors.

“I even told chief national coach Michael Nobbs that there were a few outstanding youngsters who could be looked at during the camp in Bangalore so that they could be drafted into the senior side. That was how I was planning to go about my job,” Mukesh explained. “I had lots of plans and was keen to be with the juniors till the World Cup next year,” he added.

Ironically, even on Friday morning, Mukesh, the former India captain, was told by some senior officials of Hockey India that there was a communication gap somewhere and that he should change his mind and come back as assistant coach. “I told them politely that I cannot compromise at this stage and that I will not accept any other post,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mukesh’s former teammate and 1996 Atlanta Olympics goalkeeper Edwards Aloysius also termed the treatment meted out to the Hyderabadi as “disgraceful”. “How can you call such a senior player to the camp and then snub him like that?” he asked. “And what baffles me is why Harendra was so keen to become the juniors’ coach after being the chief coach of the senior team,” Aloysius said.