New Delhi: The Sports Ministry today appointed a three-member panel comprising former India hockey captains Ajit Pal Singh, Ashok Kumar and Zafar Iqbal to assess the demands made by Terry Walsh to stay on as the chief coach of the national team.

The panel has little time to decide on the future of Walsh, who has categorically said that he won't continue after his contract expires on November 19, if he doesn't have his way in running of the team. Sports secretary Ajit Sharan said the Ministry wants Walsh to carry on.