It’d be wise if Brasa contacted me: Ric
V Narayan Swamy,TNN
BANGALORE: Hockey legend Ric Charlesworth feels that Spanish coach Jose Brasa will be better off if he got in touch with him for expert advice.
Charlesworth, whose association with Indian hockey ended in acrimony last year over monetary dues and sheer administrative apathy, obviously feels that his experience in the sub-continent can help his successors deal with the situation better. Brasa’s presentation to the Indian Olympic Association’s ad-hoc committee this month has no doubt generated keen interest around the world and Charlesworth says it would be worth the while if “someone (like Brasa) who has done it before” is roped in to put a structure in place.
“Hockey administration and organisation needs renovation. I think someone who has done it before is needed,” Charlesworth, who replaced Barry Dancer as the coach of the Australian men’s hockey team, told TOI.
At the same time, he acknowledged the need for working in tandem with an Indian coach. Citing his own example, Charlesworth, who was the technical advisor of Indian hockey, says: “I expected to work with the best Indian coaches as there are many local matters which require local knowledge. My reports outline such matters.”
Having said that, the hockey guru had a word of caution for foreign aspirants. “I think it would be wise to do so (if Brasa got in touch me for advice),” he said. “I would ask him to arrange payments well in advance and be sure that there is an administrative structure in place.”
Charlesworth endorsed Brasa’s demands, including the support staff of his choice and adequate scientific back-up till the 2012 London Olympics Games, but pointed out that prompt payment or reimbursement was always an issue in India.
“Any substantial coach will want these things,” he said. “This does not even address issues such as where the coach lives, how quickly he learns the language and who supports him. I covered all these matters in my reports and plans. I imagine any coach who works in India will expect to get paid and will expect expenses and costs for airfares, accommodation, player treatment and team equipment to be paid. My experience has not been this.”
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, will, in all likelihood, be Spanish coach Jose Brasa’s first assignment with the Indian senior team. Having submitted his wish list to the government, the FIH Master coach has also informed them that he would not be available till the end of March as he has commitments to fulfill in Spain, it is learnt.
“Brasa has submitted his conditions and his demands to the ad-hoc committee. It will be placed before the steering committee of the government after the seven-member technical committee of the ad-hoc panel deliberates on it,” sources told TOI in New Delhi.
“The technical panel has been asked to submit Brasa’s demands and his recommendations in writing as the government wants every proposal in black and white after their experience with Charlesworth,” sources added.