The Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) plans to reappoint Ukrainian track and field coach Yuri Ogorodnik have run into troubled waters. After agreeing in principle initially, the sports ministry is likely to reject the proposal owing to the controversial circumstances under which he left India four years ago.

Despite the previous controversy, Ogorodnik, 77, was the AFI’s choice to coach India’s relay teams ahead of this year’s World Championships and the 2016 Rio Games. His appointment was agreed to in principle by the ministry during a steering committee meeting held in the first week of January and his salary was reportedly fixed at $7,000 per month, $1,000 more than what he had earned during his previous term.

However, there had been little progress since that meeting. A sports ministry official said on Monday that though the final order has not been passed, the AFI has been informed about its decision not to appoint Ogorodnik.

Apart from his alleged involvement in the doping episode that rocked Indian athletics in 2011, a few Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials had expressed concerns over the Ukrainian’s declining health and old age. But the ministry official said these factors had nothing to do with the decision and asserted that they were just being cautious.

“His age and health weren’t the issues. Because of the circumstances under which he left last time, we weren’t comfortable bringing him back. The AFI has requested us to appoint him, but it is unlikely that will happen,” the official said.

Surprised at decision

AFI president Adille Sumariwalla said he was surprised at the ministry’s decision and added they haven’t been informed about it yet. “I haven’t received any communication from them so far and if it’s true, I will take up the matter with the sports minister,” Sumariwalla said.