New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS): After Hockey India (HI) decided not to continue Terry Walsh as the chief coach of the men's national team, the women's team's chief tactician, Neil Hawgood, Thursday announced that he, too, will not extend his contract.

An HI statement Thursday thanked Hawgood for his services without stating the reasons for his parting ways with the team.

"Under Neil Hawgood’s able leadership, the Indian women's hockey team has progressed extremely well in the last two-and-half years since he has been with the team. Some examples being the bronze that the team won during the 17th Asian Games and the Junior women's national team securing India’s only junior women's medal to date, the bronze in the prestigious junior women's World Cup in 2013," said the statement.

"While we are sad that Neil will not be able to extend his contract with the team, we respect his decision and thank him for all his efforts and contribution towards making this team strong and capable to perform with such conviction on the international arena."

HI also credited Hawgood for putting in hard work in the team which is likely to qualify for the Olympics.

"We are sure this present team is fit to qualify for the upcoming 2016 Olympics and if we do so, then the credit will go to him as it is because of his hard work that we will reap such results in the future. We wish him all the best for his future endeavours and would like to convey that his journey with us was fruitful and positive," said HI.

"We additionally extend our gratitude to Neil who has agreed to be fulfil his commitment and will be accompanying the team to Italy in December, hence highlighting his professional approach towards his work."