Men's hockey team coach Graham Reid meets IOA chief Batra

Graham Reid on Tuesday met Indian Olympic Association chief Narinder Batra after the country's top sports administrator questioned the side's recent inconsistent performance. Batra, who also heads the International Hockey Federation, had last week asked Hockey India to explain the reasons behind the team's "unacceptable" performance in Bangladesh and South Africa following its historic bronze in Tokyo Olympics last year. "Met today with Graham Reid chief/head coach Indian men hockey team...

coming from Bhubaneswar to see me in Delhi," Batra said. "Had detailed discussion on the Indian men hockey team's performance in Bangladesh and South Africa. We further discussed about preparations till 2022 Asian Games which is an Olympic qualifier for both Indian men and women hockey teams.

"Only by winning gold medal in Asian Games is direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics." On Tuesday last, Batra, in a strongly-worded communication to HI President Gyanendro Ningombam, had said he has serious concerns about the team's performance after the historic bronze in Tokyo Olympics last year. He also indicated that the team was being mismanaged but did not specify how. "I have serious concerns about the way the Indian men's hockey team has performed after Tokyo bronze medal.

In Bangladesh and now in South Africa. Blaming the players ... is not ultimate and only truth for me," Batra had said in the message, also marked to HI Secretary General Rajinder Singh and CEO Elena Norman.