‘Change of coaches destabilising hockey’

Paul van Ass’ unceremonious sacking and frequent change of coaches is “potentially destabilising Indian hockey” but the country has just enough time to prepare and train itself for an “outstanding performance” in Rio Olympics, feels former coach Terry Walsh.

Walsh said he was saddened by Van Ass’ sudden ouster just five months into the job following an altercation with Hockey India president Narinder Batra.

“This (Van Ass’ sacking) is potentially destabilising for the Indian hockey team,” Walsh told PTI in an interview from Perth, when asked about the current mess in Indian hockey just a year ahead of the Rio Games.

Van Ass was the fourth foreign coach to be shown the door unceremoniously ever since Hockey India took over the reins of the game in 2009.

Van Ass’s predecessors Jose Brasa, Michael Nobbs and Walsh - all of whom were hired by Sports Authority of India on the recommendations of HI at hefty salaries - also left the country on an unceremonious note.

Walsh, under whose guidance India sealed a direct ticket to next year’s Olympics after winning the gold in the Incheon Asian Games, however feels the Sardar Singh-led side has the potential to create a magic in Rio.

“With appropriate preparation and training this squad is capable of an outstanding Olympic performance. There may even be a medal opportunity in Rio if all is put together properly and opportunities are grasped. But realistically though, that will now be very tough,” Walsh observed.

“The team has enough time to reset direction for the Olympics in Rio. (But) it surprises me that issues are again being had with Gurbaj. I found him to be an outstanding component of our team. Without key players like Gurbaj, the task becomes seriously more difficult,” Walsh said.