Indian hockey way forward: Recall Ric and Brasa, retain Nobbs
It’s time for Indian hockey to think positively and take bold decisions. Such an approach is needed to firmly re-launch a program that can yield results on sustainable basis. There is no point in whining and bashing everything and everyone.
Our fall has been steady. Its exactly five years ago, when 2006 Asian Games was not played, 2008 Olympic Qualifier was far away, the FIH visualized the total downfall of Indian hockey. With the active support of International Olympic Committee, it supported bringing a top notch coach for India, and it happened to be Richard Charlesworth.
Its waste of time to narrate how the great coach was forced to leave India midway through 2008. Had he been continued, suffice to stay, we would not have had to face the humiliation we had ultimately to, in London.
Ric was in India for six months; did all the spade work the expert of his standard was expected to. He submitted a revival plan on the eve of his pre-mature departure. His wisdom fell on the duff years of powers that be who were then, and even now, a rolling mass.
Now, the Indian hockey is back to square, at least from the popular public point of view. After deep thinking on the way forward, I am of the firm opinion that both Richard Charesworth and Jose Brasa – who worked in India for about a year with the senior team – should be recalled, the services and experiences they gained, need to be harnessed right earnestly.
Coaches migrate, accept new assignments after Olympics. Now it is ideal time for India to avail the opportunity, and go for the hunt.
Make Richard Charlesworth as Technical Director in charge of elite performance of Indian hockey. If he wants to be the chief coach of men’s team, so be it. Nobbs can be his deputy for which he won’t have any qualms.
Michael Nobbs, who has a five-year contract, ought to be continued, and India cannot afford to lose sight of his experience he gained here so far.
With Ric and Nobbs at the top, the next step is to divide India in to four or five zones, and make a coach in charge of each. There should be severe selection process of each state team under every Zone, followed by intense preparation which will culminate in a Zonal tournament.
Let Jose Brasa be in charge of a zone. Others comes in mid include Rajinder Singh Sr., Vasudevan Baskaran, Harendra Singh, Ajay Kumar Bansal, Joaquim Carvalho, Cedric D’Souza, MK Kaushik, Baldev Singh and others. Each of them has in the past trained major Indian teams with mixed fortunes, and entertain a grouse that they were not given enough time to deliver.
Each zonal coaching staff will formulate their own plan to develop Statewise age group teams and then the main senior team for elite performance before seamlessly merging into a Zonal team.
From this quantity will come quality players.
There are lot many international players who claim their interest to train national team, but I am of the view that no one should come to coach senior team straight away. This policy has killed Indian hockey. There are about 20 strong hockey states in India, which will come under the Zone. Let each of these interested former players / coaches train a State within the Zone concept, and prove their worth before graduating to Zonal coach and then National Coach. And this will be based how their team perform.
The Zonal activities are proposed to round off in a yearly circle.
As a prerequisite to make the program successful, Indian senior should not play in the forthcoming Champions Trophy. One year moratorium is must. Indian junior team should be fielded in the Champions Trophy and other tournaments, keeping next year’s Junior World Cup in mind, and also not to create a sense of complacency among the senior India prospects.
Hockey India League or Word Series Hockey league will be of no use unless and until all Indian players take part in both. Given the ego situation now, this is not going to happen. Therefore, HIL and WSH will not serve national interests, though it might cater to, and entertain, younger fans.
India now faces collective failure due to collective sin. What is now required is collective wisdom to move forward. That’s why let us collect best of world’s and Indian brain to seek solution.
Therefore, recall all the greats who had come to India to serve and could not do so for reasonable time frame for variety of reasons.
Availing services of so many foreigners and the Indians who proved their worth, will entail great deal of expenses.
Its worth spending, as hockey is in serious trouble and warrant huge effort to revive.