Walsh resigns as Indian hockey chief coach

After guiding the Indian men's hockey team to the Asian Games gold, Terry Walsh resigned as the chief coach Tuesday citing "difficulty in adjusting to the functioning of the country's bureaucratic system which is not working in the interest of its hockey players".

"I hereby tender my resignation as the chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team as I am finding considerable difficulty adjusting to the decision-making style of the sporting bureaucracy in India which I believe, in the long term, is not in the best interests of Indian hockey or its players," Walsh wrote in a letter to Sports Authority of India (SAI) director general Jiji Thomson.

The Australian, whose contract was till the 2016 Rio Olympics, also put personal reasons as one of the causes for quitting the post.

"I am not willing to continue with the constant time away from my family in Australia. My current commitment places too much stress on my personal life," the 60-year-old said.

Walsh, who was contracted from October 2013, wished to get involved with Indian hockey in the future.

"Over the recent 12-month period I have become particularly attached to the playing group. In future years I would enjoy the prospect of retaining some involvement with the team and Indian hockey," Walsh added.

Walsh's resignation comes ahead of the prestigious Champions Trophy, to be held Dec 6-14 in Bhubaneswar.

Walsh becomes the third foreign Indian hockey coach after Jose Brasa and Michael Nobbs to part ways with the team.