Paul Van Ass Keen To Continue, Hockey India to Decide Future on July 24

Hockey India will meet on July 24 to decide the fate of Dutch coach Paul Van Ass, who claims he has been fired by the national federation after the FIH World Hockey League semis in Antwerp recently. The Sports Authority of India employed Van Ass in January after Aussie legend Terry Walsh quit on an acrimonious note.

India have already qualified for the Rio Olympics 2016 and players are worried that Van Ass's exit could hurt preparations. Walsh left after India won the Asian Games gold last year complaining against the Hockey India top brass. Van Ass could be leaving on a sour note too.

In a telephonic interview on Monday, Van Ass told NDTV that his relationship with president Narinder Batra's has turned for the worse and this is the main reason for his ouster.

Van Ass confirmed that the public spat with Batra during the World League semi-finals was the main reason for his ouster.

"After our win over Malaysia (in Antwerp), Batra came on the pitch and spoke to players in Hindi. I thought he was commending the players but instead it turned out he was criticising the players," Van Ass said.

"Then I jumped and because pitch is my area and I need to protect my players. Also I felt we played quite well in that match and won it."

A hurt Van Ass, however, said he is still willing to resume his duties and return to India.

"Don't ask me anything, ask Hockey India. I didn't step aside... I was asked to go," he said. "I have no problem...I have never stepped out."

Batra has denied that Hockey India has fired the Dutch coach. But Van Ass feels it will be difficult to fight the hockey strongman who has seen the back of foreign coaches - Jose Brasa and then Walsh. Aussie Michael Nobbs left on health grounds but was unhappy with Hockey India's ways.

"They (read Batra) will find a way to sack me," said Van Ass, who led the Netherlands to an Olympic silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics. India finished 12th and last in the competition under Nobbs and Bharat Chetri's captaincy.

Van Ass took over as India's chief coach after the post remained vacant for little over three months following Walsh's sudden resignation. Under the controversial Walsh, India clinched the Asian Games gold in Incheon after a gap of 16 years. India's record under Van Ass has been rather poor. The next big challenge would have been the World Hockey League finals later this year in India.

(With inputs from Vimal Mohan and PTI)