New Delhi: The simmering conflict-of-interest issue surrounding India coach Terry Walsh again cropped up at a Hockey India League (HIL) press conference on Wednesday; and when confronted on the issue by mediapersons, Walsh ducked under the question refusing to reply.
Hockey India recently appointed Walsh to replace Michael Nobbs as the chief coach of India's senior men's team. But his appointment as the coach of the new HIL franchise Kalinga Lancers raised eybrows - putting Walsh, Hockey India (HI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) in a spot.
Position of an India coach is beyond compromise as he not only is responsible for the national team but also for scouting talent throughout the country, but by allowing him to take up a job with the HIL, Hockey India and SAI have made the issue open to reproach.
When asked to comment on the issue at a pre-match HIL press conference on Wednesday, Walsh refused to give a statement. "No," he said when asked to explain his position on the widely criticised issue.
Worth noting is that SAI agreed with Nobbs's stance on it last year, when the Australian was the coach of Indian team when the first edition of the HIL was played. But a year later, Walsh has been allowed to do what Nobbs chose not to.
"When I was [India] coach, we [I and SAI] agreed that the position of a coach should not be compromised and is above reproach. I was representing the people of India and was paid by them to only that. That's where my allegiances were placed," Nobbs told IBNLive.com from Australia.
Not just Walsh, HI's High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans is also coaching Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the HIL, which further raises a question of morality. He has an even bigger responsibility than Walsh towards the betterment of Indian hockey, considering the job description that a position of High Performance Director entails.
"My position [in 2013, on coaching in the HIL] was fully supported by the High Performance Director, Roelant Oltmans," Nobbs further said. "I note he is now paid by SAI as well."
HI has tried to cover up the issue by saying that Walsh and Oltmans will not be paid by SAI for their jobs with HI during the month-long HIL stint, which is laughable when what your are putting on the line is betterment of Indian hockey that gets knocked down every time it tries to get up on its feet.
And now Walsh's refusal to explain his position has further pushed him, HI and SAI back to the wall.
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