IHF secretary-general K Jothi Kumaran approached former India captain and double Olympian Jude Felix about possibility of taking up coaching assignment with the national team. But the indications are that Felix is not too inclined to even consider the offer, leave alone accept it.

Felix is currently with the Racing Club de France in Paris as the hockey coach on a three-year contract which expires in 2000. Speaking to The Indian Express here on Monday morning, he said, "Jothi Kumaran approached me about taking up coaching in India. But I am too tied up with my club."

Felix will be in Bangalore later this month for an eight-week holiday and Jothi Kumaran suggested to him that he could do "something" during the period. But without first putting forth any concrete and formal proposal, it is surprising that the IHFeven expects Felix to consider an informal offer that was made over breakfast this morning.

Speaking informally to Indian journalists here, Jothi Kumaran said, "I had breakfast with Jude this morning and sounded him out about taking up coaching assignment."

It was a clear admission that the present coach Vasudevan Baskaran's days with the national side are numbered unless the IHF is unable to find a suitable replacement.

In fact, Felix was high on the IHF list soon after the exit of Cedric D'Souza in 1996. But at that time, Felix was on contract with the Singapore Recreation Club in Singapore before switching to Paris in September 1997.

"Honestly, I am quite happy in Paris and the salary is also good. I have permission to do whatever I want during July-August this year when I am not coaching at the Racing Club. But I am not sure whether I will be able to achieve anything in just six or eight weeks in Bangalore. Also, I have to get back to Paris in the third week of August," revealed Felix.

Felix isgoing home to Bangalore to leave his wife who is due to deliver twins in September. "As such, I don't think I will be in a position to take up any assignment since my first priority is the welfare of my wife," he said.

Felix has been doing faring well as coach in Paris. The Racing Club has qualified for the 1999 European Cup championship for the first time in two years by finishing second in the French league, he said. "So, I feel that I am doing pretty well for myself and it was most satisfying when we qualified for the European Cup."

With India finishing ninth here, as compared to fifth at the 1994 Sydney World Cup, the IHF seems desperate to set right matters. The name of Cedric D'Souza, too, is doing the rounds, though is difficult to visualise the possibility of him agreeing for a second innings unless his terms and conditions are met.