Psychologist for Indian hockey team

18 September 2009

PUNE: Indian hockey coach Jose Brasa’s longstanding request for a sports psychologist has been approved in principal after a high-powered steering
panel meeting on Thursday.

SAI assistant director Virendra Bhandarkar, convenor of the meeting, told TOI, “We had a meeting today with Hockey India officials and it has been decided to appoint a sports psychologist. Now Hockey India has to put forward a name.”

The Spaniard, who’s been with the team for nearly five months now, feels it necessary to have a full-time psychologist. “We need him to help players cope with stress during tournaments.” Incidentally, Brasa already has a person in mind – Jose Maria Buceta. “I prefer him because I have worked with him and have a very good understanding with him.”

One of Buceta’s clients is the Real Madrid football group.