NEW DELHI, Sept 22: India resumed their search for a men’s field hockey coach on Monday after the selected candidate opted to continue working with the women’s side.

Former Olympian Maharaj Krishan Kaushik was appointed the national men’s coach last Wednesday to replace Joaquim Carvalho, who quit in March after the former champions failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

Five days later, Kaushik returned to his old job as the women’s coach for which he is contracted until the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

“I am still the women’s coach,” said Kaushuk, 53, but declined to say why he had accepted the men’s job last week, as claimed by members of the ad hoc committee running Indian hockey.

Former captain Dhanraj Pillay, one of the selectors to pick the men’s coach, said he was surprised at the development.

“When we shortlisted the candidates, Kaushik did not tell us he did not want the job,” said Pillay. “In fact, he seemed very enthusiastic to coach the men’s team. We now have to look for someone else.”—AFP