The Indian Hockey Federation has relieved chief coach Cedric D`souza of his responsibilities and asked his assistant Cr Kumar to take charge of the team for the remainder of the ongoing 10th men`s hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
The move followed India`s dismal performance in the World Cup. The team drew the opening game with Japan 2-2, and then lost three matches in a row -- 1-2 to Korea, 2-3 to Malaysia and 2-3 to England. Sources said that IHF secretary-General K Jothikumaran called D`Souza past midnight and informed him of this decision.
But prior the call, D`souza was told of his sacking by team manager K G S Alva who, in turn, was informed by Jothikumaran, they said.
At the moment, it was uncertain as to whether D`souza would stay back or return home on Saturday. Neither Jothikumaran nor D`souza was immediately available for comment.
India were still to play three more matches in the league -against Cuba later on Saturday, versus Poland on Monday and Australia on Tuesday. On conclusion of the league phase, India will be required to play two classification matches that will decide the side`s final position in the 16-team field.
D`souza first took charge of the Indian team in 1994 just before the Sydney World Cup where India finished fifth. The following year, he guided India to a gold medal at the SAF games in Chennai, defeating Pakistan 5-2 in the final.
At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, India finished eighth and he was subsequently removed from the post. D`souza was brought back last year and India won the gold cup in Dhaka, beating Pakistan in the final, and then won the champions challenge tournament, in Kuala Lumpur, in December last year, to qualify for the 2002 champions trophy.
Bureau Report