It's been close to four months now that India's senior men's hockey team has been without a permanent coach, but that is set to change soon as all the issues holding up the appointment of front-runner Graham Reid have been addressed, according to sources.
It had been reported earlier in the week that the Sports Ministry had objected to Reid's salary demands, leaving the final decision in the hands of Sports Minister, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
But sources closer to the appointment process told Timesofindia.com on Monday that "all concerns have been addressed" and Hockey India is "waiting now for the file to be returned to Sports Authority of India (SAI)".
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Reid had reportedly asked for a monthly pay-packet of $15000 and visits back home to Australia five to six times in a year. That demand was holding up the Ministry's final authorization on the appointment. However, it's not clear if the demanded salary has been given the green signal or a revised figure has been agreed upon after further negotiations.
The salary Reid has asked for has been learnt to be more than what is being paid to High Performance Director, David John, and closer to what former India coach Roelant Oltmans used to get.
Top Hockey India officials had a meeting with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on March 26th, in which the shortlisted names were discussed and Reid's name was finally agreed upon and forwarded to the Sports Ministry for its approval.
HI has been searching for a new coach ever since Harendra Singh was sacked after the World Cup in December last year.
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The 54-year-old Queensland-born Reid has previously served as Australia coach and last held the position of Netherlands' assistant coach under Max Caldas. He was recently relieved from his post as full-time head coach of the Amsterdam hockey club.
India recently played the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup under interim coach John and analytical coach Chris Ciriello. The national camp, meanwhile, began at the Bengaluru SAI Centre on Monday.
India's next international assignment is the tour of Australia from May 6 to 18.