Brasa sends acceptance for hockey top job

New Delhi: While the Indian Hockey team is focused on the upcoming four-nation tournament at home, the sport’s administration in the country is busy giving finishing touches to the appointment of a foreign coach for the team.

Spaniard Jose Brasa, an International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach who had impressed officials from the hockey ad-hoc committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the sports ministry and SAI during his visit two weeks ago, had gone back to discuss the intricacies of the deal offered by India. On Friday, he sent back his acceptance, reiterating the non-negotiable aspects of the deal. “I’ve sent my requirements for the four years till the London 2012 Olympic Games,” he told The Indian Express from Madrid.

An ad-hoc committee member said that the decision was almost final and it would be made official soon. “We don’t have any objections to anything. These foreign coaches are all professionals; they expect every detail worked out before taking over the charge. The sports ministry has to give a final clearance and we are hopeful that it would be done by Thursday,” he said.

Another official said that the ministry was also keen on finalising things so that the new coach could start immediately after the four-nation tournament. “By finalising the coach before the tournament, things will be smooth when he takes over,” he said.

Brasa also confirmed that he has accepted the salary offered by the IOA for the year 2009, which is negotiable at the end of the year. He had earlier demanded a monthly salary of $12,500. His contract, though, will be for four years.

At the same time, Brasa refused to commit on his return to India, saying that it was the prerogative of the Indian officials to decide. “I do not know yet if I will be the coach. We have not signed any agreement yet, it is the Indian federation that has to decide if they want me,” he said.

Brasa also said he had been told that he would be based in Delhi. “I have been told that it would be best to have the headquarters at the Delhi stadium (National Stadium) after it would be ready to use. Till then, I have heard something about training in the south, maybe in Bangalore. What we do need are the facilities to train well and in a scientific way,” he said.

Courtesy: Indian Express