Terry Walsh Resigns as India Hockey Coach Citing Issues with Country's 'Bureaucratic System'

After guiding the Indian men's hockey team to the Asian Games gold, Terry Walsh resigned as the chief coach Tuesday citing "difficulty in adjusting to the functioning of the country's bureaucratic system which is not working in the interest of its hockey players."

"I hereby tender my resignation as the chief coach, Indian men's hockey team, effective as per the details of my contract or as agreed to by all concerned parties," Walsh said in a letter sent to SAI Director General Jiji Thomson.

"I am finding considerable difficulty adjusting to the decision making style of the sporting bureaucracy in India which I believe, in the long term, is not in the best interests of Indian Hockey or it's players."

The Australian, whose contract was till the 2016 Rio Olympics, also put personal reasons as one of the causes for quitting the post.

"I am not willing to continue with the constant time away from my family in Australia. My current commitment places too much stress on my personal life," the 60-year-old added.

Walsh, who started from October 2013, still wants to get involved with Indian hockey in the future.

"Over the recent 12-month period I have become particularly attached to the playing group. In future years I would enjoy the prospect of retaining some involvement with the team and Indian hockey," he said.

Walsh's resignation comes ahead of the prestigious Champions Trophy, to be held from 6-14 December in Bhubaneswar.

Walsh becomes the third foreign Indian hockey coach after Jose Brasa and Michael Nobbs to part ways with the team.