With a little less than a year to go for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the resignation of David John comes as a surprise with his contract getting extended to 2021 September just three weeks back but those in the know of developments maintain this was a long time coming. David John has been accused of favouritism in the past and was dropped from the senior men’s team selection panel. Things went sour for him when former Hockey captain Sardar Singh retired ahead of the World Cup in Bhubaneswar in 2018, indicting the Aussie for his decision. There have been several instances in the last where there have been talks of removing David John from his position but he has survived until 18th August when he put down his papers.

The Sports Authority of India and Hockey India may find it difficult to find a replacement for David John given the current circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the international travel restrictions.

SAI issued an official statement, accepting the resignation of David John. “The Sports Authority of India has accepted the resignation of David John, who was employed as High Performance Director at Hockey India. John resigned on August 18, 2020, with immediate effect, through an email to Sports Authority of India and Hockey India. He resigned citing concern for his personal health in the current Covid 19 situation in India, and has expressed his desire to go back to Australia. John had a contract with SAI till September 2021,” the statement read.