Coaches with HI links on WSH panel

Uthra G Chaturvedi

The presence of coaches with Hockey India links on the list of officials released by World Series Hockey (WSH) — a franchise-based league organised by the Indian Hockey Federation — has raised eyebrows. Besides former national coach Jose Brasa and contender to the job Roelant Oltmans, the man presently in charge of the national junior team Harendra Singh too is part of the league that neither HI nor the international body (FIH) recognises.

Announcing the list of coaches for the eight-team league, the organisers on Thursday added that they will not only be in charge of planning but also assist the franchisees during the ‘draft’ process for selecting players for their respective teams. Brasa, who led Indian men to their first-ever medal at the Commonwealth Games — a silver — and bronze at the Asian Games last year, said he looked forward to working with the Indian players once again.

“The organisers called and explained the concept of the league to me and it sounded exciting, both in terms of competition and in improving the standard of Indian hockey. Plus, I will get to work with the players that I have always been fond of,” Brasa told The Indian Express. However, the coaches have not been allocated their respective teams, which will be done only by the end of October.

Oltmans, who lost out to current chief coach Michael Nobbs to coach India, is one of the world’s most respected names and the selection of Nobbs over him had surprised many. Interestingly, Nobbs has already labeled the WSH as competition for “over the hill” and retired professionals.

But it is Harendra’s inclusion that can complicate matters. HI secretary general Narinder Batra, when asked about the issue, said, “I have no idea”.

Panel of coaches: Roelant Oltmans (Holland), Jose Brasa (Spain), Andrew Meredith (Germany), Harendra Singh, Rajinder Singh, V Bhaskaran, Jude Felix and Gundeep Singh (all India).