Indian Express: Batra ruined it for me: Brasa

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Batra ruined it for me: Brasa

Uthra Ganesan

On a day when the national hockey squad for Commonwealth Games and Asiad was announced, serious differences between key officials came to light. Talking to The Indian Express, national chief coach Jose Brasa admitted that he didn’t get along with the other coach connected to the national side Harendra Singh. And the reason for the rift, according to Brasa, was Hockey India’s secretary general Narinder Batra,

“Batra has created a divide between us coaches by appointing me as the coach for half the tour and Harendra as the coach for the rest of the matches in Europe. I have never heard of this happening anywhere,” said the Spaniard.

According to the chief coach, it was tough to have a healthy working relationship with Batra as he overtly interfered in hockey matters.”He (Batra) wanted me thrown out right after the World Cup, but he did not succeed. They wanted a puppet who would be under their complete control and I am not one”, he said.

According to sources within the team, the infighting between the coaches was spoiling the atmosphere on tours and at the on going camp. “When Harendra took over as coach in the European tour, Brasa was insulted. During the game, he sat quietly in the stands and not once conversing with the Harendra,” he said.

Those at the camp say factions are beginning to form because of the rift between those at helm. “Harendra already has Batra on his side. He is now drawing support from other players who were against Brasa. The other coaching staff too have their loyalties. The team element is missing,” the source said.