The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Rach quits

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Thursday, Jan 13, 2005

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Rach quits

NEW DELHI, JAN. 12. Under attack over a string of failures, India's chief hockey coach Gerhard Rach has quit his job.

The German-born Rach, whose future was hanging in the balance following a string of poor performances by the team in various events including the Olympics and Champions Trophy, has taken up a new assignment with the national team of Egypt, the Indian Hockey Federation said today.

IHF Secretary K. Jothikumaran said Rach had telephoned the IHF president K.P.S. Gill last night to inform him about his decision.

``Rach called up Gill last night to tell him about his decision. IHF wished him all the best in his future endeavour,'' Jothikumaran told PTI.

Rach became the first foreign coach of the hockey team when he was appointed to the top job just a few days before the Olympics.

He would officially take over as the coach of Egypt on January 25.

On the appointment of a new coach, Jothikumaran said ``we have enough time to think on this aspect.

Mr. Gill and other office-bearers of the IHF will take a decision on this at the appropriate time. ``At the moment we are now fully focussed on the National junior development programme which will be held simultaneously with the Premier Hockey League.'' — PTI

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