Walsh expresses willingness to return but says HI needs to 'show desire'

New Delhi: Barely days after quitting from his position as chief coach of the national men’s hockey team, Terry Walsh has expressed his willingness to return to India provided Hockey India shows some “desire” to work out a “viable solution”.

Walsh admitted that he has indeed written a letter to the sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday, expressing his desire to resume his India job but said the ball entirely is now in the national federation’s court.

“A letter from my side was sent to the minister yesterday indicating my desire to return to India to finalise negotiations and work through to Rio, 2016,” Walsh said.

“Now it is in the hands of Hockey India to show the same desire for a viable solution.”

Walsh has resigned as the chief coach soon after returning from Incheon, where he guided the Indian team to its first Asiad gold in 16 years.

The Australian’s notice period ended last Wednesday and he decided not to withdraw his resignation after his contractual talks with SAI and HI fell apart.

Walsh’s contractual talks fell apart after HI president Narinder Batra had alleged that the 60-year-old Australian had indulged in “financial fraud” during his stint with USA Hockey.

Walsh however termed these allegations “baseless”. The differences with HI seems to be the biggest hurdle that stands in the way of Walsh’s return and Batra has made it clear that the Australian need to come clean on these allegations to coach India again.

However, Walsh had words of appreciation for the the sports minister, his employers Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the players.

“The minister for sport and SAI have shown a keen desire to create a good working solution,” he said.

“The players are supportive and India has a very bright International future if it stays on a solid pathway,” Walsh said.

Under Walsh, who joined a year back, India made steady progress and achieved good results in the international tournaments.

Besides the Asian Games gold, which earned them a direct berth in 2016 Rio Olympics, India had also won a silver medal at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and also registered a historic away Test series win over Australia.

PTI