While confusion over Terry Walsh's contract with Hockey India continues, another Australian coach Neil Hawgood has decided to sever his ties with the national women's team. Hawgood trained the Indian women's squad since July 2012.
Unlike Walsh, Hawgood's exit was not acrimonious. He will stay with the national squad on its tour of Italy in December. Hockey India has accepted his resignation. (Champions Trophy hockey:
Hawgood was a former Australian player who represented his nation at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He played in seven games, scoring five goals, as the Australian team finished in fourth position
Under Hawgood's leadership, the Indian women's team showed a lot of progress. India won the bronze in the 17th Asian Games at Incheon, South Korea and the junior team won a first-ever bronze medal in the World Cup in 2013.
"While we are sad that Neil will not be able to extend his contract with the team, we respect his decision and thank him for all his efforts and contribution towards making this team strong and capable to perform with such conviction on the international arena," said a Hockey India statement.
"We are sure this present team is fit to qualify for the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games and if we do so, then the credit will go to him," the statement added.