Failure to get his outstanding salary arrears cleared and inadequate working conditions were the main reasons for India's hockey consultant Ric Charlesworth to abruptly resign from his high-profile post.

The Australian legend is extremely critical of the hockey establishment and its functioning while also threatening to take legal action against his Indian employers if his outstanding dues were not cleared.

In a strongly worded resignation letter, a copy of which is available with a news agency, Charlesworth said that he was convinced he could not effectively operate as an advisor as his recommendations did not carry any weight.

Charlesworth's dramatic resignation came to light only on Thursday, though he had put in his papers on June 25 after serving around seven tumultuous months in the position.

The former Australian captain also cited the "entirely unrealistic" expectations on him and the failure to give him a proper support staff as some of the other reasons for packing his bags.

"I have been working in India since 10th of December 2007, although SAI unfortunately has failed to recognise in contractual format my earlier tenure. On March 20th under duress I finally signed a contract that was far from adequate and from what was agreed earlier," Charlesworth said in his resignation letter.

"I did so in order to continue my work in the hope that things will improve in my working conditions and that I would have the opportunity to do what the original concept entailed," said Charlesworth.

"I also did so with the express promise of the IHF President and Secretary General as well as Executive director team sports that all outstanding invoices and salary arrears would be paid expeditiously. This has not proved to be the case. The history of the contract negotiations and the fact of so many unfulfilled promises is the great regret of my time in India," he said.

Charlesworth had been sent to India by the FIH, the game's world governing body, as part of a project to revive Indian hockey. However the previous IHF regime under KPS Gill did not allow him to coach the senior team and generally did not involve him with its activities.

But after India failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics the IHF, under pressure from the FIH, formally signed the contract with Charlesworth in March.

"The expectations of my position have been entirely unrealistic. Given no support staff, impossible travelling and living arrangements, no tools of trade and freedom to act, the whole thing has proved very difficult if not impossible. All these things had been promised," he said.

"I am not crying foul as I knew India would be difficult... I just did not believe it could be this difficult. I still have no computer, no employer provided phone, no efficient capacity to plan and book travel and I remain unpaid for many months with considerable personal expenditure un-remitted," he said.

"If India believes it can resurrect its fortunes without matching the practices of successful nations it would be a remarkable feat," Charlesworth said.

Charlesworth said he would not shy away from dragging his Indian employers to court if his dues were not paid.

"I reserve my right to claim the outstanding amounts that are due to me by SAI and the IHF for my work in India over the past seven months. This will likely entail recourse to legal actions in the courts in order to be compensated," he said.

Charlesworth felt India needed to accelerate its development pace to catch up with other top nations, especially in view of the ground realities at home.

"As I have pointed out many times I do not believe India can afford to change slowly or that it can without a paradigm shift, generate the resources and energy to re-organise the game at the highest level," he said.

"The FIH supported the project sharing the same view but sometimes the reality in the ground is too overwhelming and without any glimmer of change on the horizon I make this decision. I believe that I am left with no other choice as things stand," he added.

5 comments so far...

Re: Left with no choice, Ric quits Sad day for Indian hockey and an opportunity lost. Does India want to progress in Hockey or not is the question? By Baldip Sidhu on   Monday, July 14, 2008

Re: Left with no choice, Ric quits another wasted chance ? By mkm on   Monday, July 14, 2008

Re: Left with no choice, Ric quits It can be very frustrating even for a NRI like me to deal with authorities in India let alone a foreigner having any chance. The sense of priority, discipline, safety and organisation does not seems to have any meaning in the country, I believe its not in the vocabulary, so its not a surprise that Ric C has thrown in the towel, I expected him to do it lot sooner, credit to him for sticking out as long as he did. Charanjit (Germany) By Charanjit Singh on   Monday, July 14, 2008

Re: Left with no choice, Ric quits Absolutely right, Charanjit...the system is corrupt to the core. Having been a ardent fan , since childhood(which is over 50 years ago), it is going to be difficult not to throw in the towel too in terms of supporting the national team. This is one insult, too many. Leave them to be quite happy playing Thailand,Oman, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea amongst others. Please not no disrespect is intended to these nations...they just have not played much hockey. By Baldip Sidhu on   Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Re: Left with no choice, Ric quits Can you tel me what has happened to Joythikumaran?? The entire nation wants to know. If he has really taken the national game for a ride for close to two decades ans the sting operation is conclusive, how come there is not a word about him these days? Does it mean that he is above the law?? Why aren't the Junior Asia Cup hockey matches being telecast? How come it is less importat than Formula racing? How relevant is Formula racing to India? The papers don't even have the schedule and timings? Who is responsible for this? So many questions!! As you are a leading site on Indian hockey, can you help with answers? More later. Jai Hind By Rajendar Menen on   Wednesday, July 16, 2008

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