NEW DELHI: India’s hockey coach Jose Brasa on Thursday dismissed reports of a players’ revolt against him and ruled out quitting his job over the issue.
Although the Indian hockey circle is abuzz with the news of a revolt by some disgruntled senior players against the Spanish coach, Brasa claimed he enjoys the support of all his wards.
“All the reports of the players’ revolt are false. They do not have even an iota of truth. I have good relations with the players and my association with Indian hockey would be for a longer period,” Brasa said.
According to reports, some senior players including former captain Sandeep Singh are not happy with the Brasa’s style of functioning and have even shot a letter to Hockey India in this regard.
The incident has forced HI President A K Mattoo to dash off to Pune to take stock of the situation as the players have assembled in the Baelwadi Sports Complex there for a preparatory Camp ahead of next month’s Champions Challenge tournament in Argentina.
Asked whether he has spoken to the players about the reported revolt, Brasa said, “I don’t need to talk to them because I am with them 24 hours and I know what they think about me.”
Brasa also said that no Hockey India official has spoken to him on the issue as yet.
“No one has approached me as yet and no one has asked for any clarification and explanation,” he said.
Already unhappy with the slow pace with which Sports Authority of India works, Brasa also criticised the way Indian hockey players were being treated at the ongoing camp.
“I have complained many a times about the food menu for the players and no one seems to be listening. Players are getting almost same type of food everyday. The chicken given to them is no more than bones. I don’t understand this.
“I have prepared a menu for the players but no one follows that. I don’t understand when things will change,” he fumed.