Gill's team rejected; Bansal to coach

New Delhi:

Three days after KPS Gill was sacked as Indian Hockey Federation boss by the IOA, the new selection committee on Thursday reversed one of his decisions by deciding to send a different team for Azlan Shah tournament in Kuala Lumpur.

A development team, having a few senior players in it, was recommended to the Sports Ministry by the erstwhile IHF. But the new selection committee, which met on Thursday, decided to change the squad though retaining some players from the old list.

The Committee also decided to retain AK Bansal as head coach for the tournament starting May 8.

Chairman of the committee Aslam Sher Khan expressed surprise that current senior team coach Joaqium Carvalho was not to go to Kaula Lumpur according to the old list.

"We have decided to send a mix of players, some from the old list and some new players. But, there will not be any change to sending AK Bansal as coach," Aslam said after the meeting, also attended by Indian team's Technical Director and selection committe advisor Ric Charlesworth.

One of the members, Dhanraj Pillay, was not present at the meeting and he is expected to join tomorrow for another round to finalise the team, which will leave for Malaysia on May 5.

"I was surprised that the erstwhile IHF had wanted to send Bansal instead of Carvalho whose resignation after the Olympic qualification fiasco was not accepted," Aslam said.

Another committee member Ashok Kumar lambasted the old regime for running Indian hockey in a "hotchpotch manner", evident in the team selection.