Anyone interested in sex can come to me," these are the  alleged words of our national women's hockey coach Maharaj Krishan Kaushik to some senior women players during a series in New Zealand in 2003.

Kaushik, who resigned from his position yesterday after players sent a written complaint levying charges of sexual harrassment against him to Hockey India, was quick to respond. "Rubbish, bullshit. I have never said anything like this to anyone at anytime. This is a campaign  by some senior players to malign me. These players crumbled under some of my strict rules," Kaushik told media.

"I did not allow players to talk on mobile phones. I felt it distracted them. Then, there were some players, who could not perform and were booted out. I am paying the price for seeking discipline in the team," he said.

"My players have always treated me like a father. I don't know what made them level such charges against me. Players, who failed to earn a place in the national team, have resorted to such allegations," Kaushik added.

It's over for Kaushik, as far as coaching the women is concerned. "No more coaching the Indian women's hockey team. Not after all this. I just want to clear my name and that's it," Kaushik replied, when asked if he would take up the job again if the allegations against him were cleared.