K. ARUMUGAM

COVID times are different and strange too. One incident that occurred recently proves it perfectly – and go beyond.  Japan’s new women’s chief coach, appointed after the Tokyo Olympics, is still to enter the Japan soils, yet work is in progress, and interestingly none of the work suffered – Even the team went on to annex a coveted Asian title at Dongae in the last month.

We are talking about New Zealand  based Indian origin coach Jude Menezes who is actually going through the strange phase.

“I left New Zealand to take over Women’s team in the early December. But before I reach, Japan closed its borders due to COVID stringent measures, forcing me to straight away go to Dongae, host city of Asian Champions Trophy. The team came there, and we had good training. Thereafter I wanted to return New Zealand, but stringent conditions were by then came into force- quarantine before entering and leaving. Then this Asia Cup was coming. So I decided to stay about 3 weeks in Seoul before coming here” (Muscat).

Jude is now in Muscat with his team that will be taking India today in their second match of Pool A. His team came to Muscat two weeks ago, getting training in a private club in the outskirts of the capital city.

On asked how could you manage all these, his reply was quick. “I have given commitment to Japan team. I did not want to default. Life is full of challenge, so this is also one such”.

Jude has brought an young team to field in the Asia Cup where top four teams will get their world cup  slot.

Almost eight players took retirement after Tokyo Olympics. However, we have a wonderful punch of youngsters with us. They are the future hope”, says Jude taking all the things in his stride.

It is worthwhile to mention that Japan, who won the gold at Jakarta Asian Games, are now reigning Asian Champions Trophy champions too.

They won all their four matches at Dongae including the final 2-1 against South Korea to win the Asian Champions Trophy, where both India and Malaysia could not play due to some members in the team were COVID-stricken.