Brasa all set for job
By Sandeep Narayan in New Delhi
Says Asia Cup will be an opportunity to know Indian players
THE contract may not have been to his liking initially but hockey Olympian and former Spain coach Jose Brasa seemed elated on Monday as he expressed his joy of becoming the new chief coach of India’s national men’s team.
“ For the past six to eight months I have been in touch with the Ministry officials in India and they have extensively worked out ways to ensure that I be comfortable during my term as coach,” said Brasa, who was in the Capital to discuss and sign his contract.
The prospect of becoming the man responsible for bringing Indian hockey back to its former glory didn’t excite the Spaniard as much as learning Hindi.
“ I am very happy to be associated with Indian hockey. At first I was a bit apprehensive about leaving my family but the officials here made sure that the contract was to the liking of both parties. So I am here, excited to join the Indian team.
My first goal would be to learn Hindi,” said Brasa.
Though he did not mention when he will join the team in Malaysia — India is in Kuala Lumpur to participate in the Asia Cup — he did say that the Asia Cup will be more of an opportunity for him to get acquainted with the players and the support staff.
“ In Malaysia I will get a chance to see the players’ performances and also make an assessment about the team as a whole. It would be too early for me to start my programmes.
As far as I know the Indian team’s defence has been a weakness for a while now but I cannot make any final statements so early,” said Brasa.
He added: “ A coach’s main job is to help the players and I will be looking forward to interacting with the players and helping them in any way I can.” Brasa also met the Sports Minister MS Gill at his residence on Monday and the minister was also pleased with Brasa’s appointment.
“ I was pleased to meet Brasa today and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing. During the discussion, Brasa expressed his desire to learn Hindi to build up better relations with the Indian players and understand their problems better. I told him we’ll support you and provide you the facility to learn Hindi,” Gill said.
Gill, in fact, went on to assure the Spaniard that the Ministry would back him in implementing whatever programmes he had in mind for the betterment of the game and the players.
“ Spanish people are as emotional as we Indians and I’m confident Brasa will have a good relationship with all the players and support staff,” Gill said.
The International Hockey Federation president, Lenardo Negre was also in Delhi on Monday. He met with the officials of the Indian Olympic Association including its chief Suresh Kalmadi and secretary general Randhir Singh. Negre was here to discuss some issues pertaining to the men’s World Cup in New Delhi in 2010.
“ These are just one of those routine meetings concerning the World Cup. The FIH chief will attend the Asia Cup in Malaysia and he was mainly here to discuss some marketing issues connected to the 2010 World Cup,” said an official of the IOA.
Courtesy: Mail Today