NEW DELHI, April 21: With just a week to go for preparatory camp for seven-nation Azlan Shah Cup hockey to begin, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has finally decided to appoint a coach. He will be on trial basis and for Malaysian tournament. But, as usual, there is still confusion among IHF officials on names to take up the job.

IHF secretary K Jothikumaran was categorical that a final decision will be taken either by Monday or Tuesday.

But media manager Anupam Ghulati said a decision could be reached within this week, maybe even on Friday. “It all depends on talks,” he said.

Even as confusion prevails, one thing seems very clear: Jagbir Singh, who was assistant to Gerhard Rach at Athens Olympics, has reportedly pulled himself out of race.

Jagbir’s withdrawal would be a blow for the team since he enjoys players support and is said to be good at man management with reputation of being a thinking coach.

A regular member and senior-most player in squad said at this level, “a coach cannot teach you something drastically new. What he can do is to take all players and combine their individual strengths into a team.”

Meanwhile, names doing rounds in absence of Jagbir are: Rajinder Singh (coach of Punjab & Sind Bank), Narender Pal Singh and Vasudevan Bhaskaran. Among contenders, Rajinder seems to be frontrunner.—PPI