Spanish coach for hockey team
M.S.UnnikrishnanMp>
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 1
After much dithering and exchange of e-mails, the Government has finally approved the appointment of Spanish coach Jose Brasa as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.

Brasa will come to India on Sunday to sign a formal contract with the Sports Authority of India before accompanying the Indian team to the Asia Cup in Malaysia. Brasa wanted to join the team in Malaysia straight from Spain, but the Indian Government informed him that his appointment could be formalised only after signing the contract, which will enable him to get a work visa.

According to the terms and conditions, Brasa will be paid an annual salary of Euro 84000 (approximately Rs 72 lakh), which will work out to Euro 7000 per month ($9000). His contract intially will be for one and a half years, till the Asian Games in November, 2010. The other important engagement for Indian hockey under him will be the 2010 The Government has also agreed to Brasa’s suggestion of hiring Spanish physical trainer David Perez at an annual salary of Euro 60,000.

A senior official in the Sports Ministry said Brasa will have a “significant job” on hand, but he will have to operate within the guidelines framed by the Government. He will train four Indian coaches, including the present national coach Harendra Singh, and give a quarterly report of his evaluatigon about the team, players and the support staff.

Courtesy: The Tribune