Felix ready to be Indian hockey team coach

V Narayan Swamy

BANGALORE: Jude Felix is disappointed with another failure of the Indian hockey team. The former India captain feels it is time the administration handed over the reins for a long term to coaches who are willing to make a difference.

“We have been hearing this for a long time. The team undergoes a long preparatory phase for a big tournament only to return with nothing. We had this opportunity to qualify for the London Olympics at Guangzhou Asian Games but failed.

Like in the past, it is time again for us to get ready for qualifiers. How long will this go on?” Felix said.

For his part, the 45-year-old veteran is ready to take over as the chief coach if Hockey India and the government give him an opportunity. “I have been saying this for many years. I am forever willing to coach the Indian team provided I get a contract and am suitably compensated,” replied Felix when asked whether he would prefer the hot seat now.

“I am gainfully employed in Singapore but I have always made myself available to coach the national team. Even in the past, all I had wanted was proper remuneration and a four-year contract so that I could work on the team systematically,” he said.

Now that the current Indian coach Jose Brasa is seemingly on the way out, Felix felt he could form a good team with national coach Harendra Singh. “Brasa brought about many positive changes in the team. But now that it looks like he may not continue, I am ready to take over the reins.”