Hockey coach Walsh keeps resignation on hold till Nov.19, happy with SAI solutions

National hockey coach Terry Walsh said Wednesday that he has not withdrawn his resignation, but will keep it on hold till November 19, when he expects the solutions put forward by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to come into effect. He said that once the solutions are incorporated, he will consider the withdrawal option at that point of time.

Earlier, a television channel had reported that Walsh had resigned as national hockey coach, citing bureaucratic hassles, non-payment of dues and his own family commitments.

Walsh had tendered his resignation, saying the decision making processes that take place in the bureaucracy of the Indian sport were not centered around any particular group, including players, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Hockey India which had caused him great difficulty.

He also said that it had been hard for him to stay away from his family for so long.

The Australian, however, added that he had an option of returning to his post and hoped that the tendering of his resignation would help the sports bodies in India address his grievances.

"According to my contract, there is an option of one month, where we can come to an understanding and new rules are drawn up. All the bodies involved are seeking to find an amicable solution," Walsh told ANI earlier.

Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had also instructed his department secretary and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to submit a report on Walsh's resignation within 24 hours.

Under Walsh's guidance, the Indian men's hockey team won gold in the recently held Asian Games in Incheon, thereby qualifying for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.