WALSH NOT ‘SPARED’ BY BUDGET CUTS

MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation technical director Terry Walsh yesterday announced his resignation. The Australian is one of many foreign coaching experts affected by budget cuts in Malaysian sports.

AUSTRALIAN Terry Walsh confirmed yesterday that he will vacate his post as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) technical director on March 31.

In his statement, Walsh, who led Australia to the silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, announced his decision to step down but did not elaborate further.

However, critics believe he has been forced to do so due to the current financial issues faced in Malaysian sports.

“After more than three years here, I have decided to step down from my position.

“I have no idea what I will do next... my immediate plan is to return to Perth and enjoy some family time.”

Walsh will see through his contract until the end of March before calling it a day in Malaysia.

“I will continue working until the end of March. As for the national team, I am confident they will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Malaysia need to be strong in order for Asian hockey to be strong,” said Walsh in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

While MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal side-stepped money as the main reason, it is a noted fact that the National Sports Council (NSC) are working on a tight budget and that they are now discontinuing the services of highly-paid coaches.

“I would like to thank the NSC for all the support that they have and are providing for hockey.

“We have spoken to the NSC, and they have agreed that if we need Walsh in the future, we can request for his help,” said Subahan in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

It is learnt that Walsh was paid more than RM60,000 a month since he assumed the post in 2015.

Subahan also stressed that the MHC have always paid their players, coaches, administrators with the exception of a few delays.

“For the four years that I have been helming the MHC, we have always managed to pay our players and all those involved in the sport on time.

“Yes, there have been some delays, but we never failed to pay everybody,” said Subahan.

Walsh is not new to Malaysia as he was also the national coach between 1990-93.

The Australian also guided India to the gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

When Walsh was hired in 2015, NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail stated that his task was to chart the future of Malaysian hockey.

In his absence, Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans will now chart the path to Tokyo, starting with the April qualifier which Malaysia will be hosting.

Malaysia need to be strong in order for Asian hockey to be strong.”