Brasa outlines plans for further improvement
Express news service
New Delhi: India’s newly appointed hockey chief coach Jose Brasa feels there is a need to work on the co-ordination between players and encourage the use of technological assistance to improve Indian hockey, rather than trying any wholesale changes in their playing style.
Brasa, who was in the Capital to sign on the dotted line on Monday, said he had been appointed as the chief coach and, other than one physical trainer, would be dependant on the Indian staff. He said he was confident there would be good co-ordination with the other Indian coaches and members of the staff. Brasa also met Sports Minister MS Gill after signing his contract and expressed hope that he would be able to improve the fortunes of the national game.
“I will try to keep the Indian style of attacking hockey as it is, only trying to sharpen it by adding more speed and co-ordination between the players and working on their fitness rather than their skills,” Brasa said after meeting Gill. He also said that though he can’t say much at the moment since he hasn’t seen the players in action, he felt there was need to work on the defence and various combinations among the players.
Scientific requirements
Brasa also reiterated his preference for more technological assistance and said that scientific support and know-how was important to succeed in any modern sport. “I would like to get as much of the latest technology as possible within our budget, and go for more modern software to improve the reading of match situations,” he said.
Brasa’s plan for reviving the team’s sagging fortunes includes having a modern and scientific approach to the sport. He said that while he was hopeful of helping Indian hockey, he would be able to give a detailed assessment only after watching the team and interacting with the players and coaches in Malaysia during the Asia Cup, which begins May 9. He, however, said that there was no substitute for hard work and training and any flaws in the game can only be removed through constant practice and workouts. “The harder you train, the better you get, it’s simple,” said Brasa.
Gill said he had had a detailed discussion with Brasa about the work he would be doing, and also assured the Spaniard full co-operation in implementing his ideas for the betterment of the game and the players.
Brasa will be joining the Indian squad in Malaysia later this week to observe the team but would take formal charge only after the tournament.
Courtesy: Indian Express