Brasa happy with postponement of WSH
CHENNAI: Former India coach Joseph Brasa on Tuesday expressed happiness that the Indian Hockey Federation has shown character in understanding the problems faced by the players and decided to postpone the multi-million dollar World Series Hockey to February 29.
“I am happy that the IHF has understood the problems and finally did the best for the players by agreeing to postpone the tournament. I am happy that now the players are free to go anywhere they want to,” Brasa said after the second day’s training session of his team Chennai Cheetahs.
The tournament, a joint initiative of de-recognised IHF and Nimbus, was to start on December 17 but with several Indian players pulling out to join the national camp in Bangalore for the Olympic Qualifiers after threats from Hockey India, the Rs 100 crore event has been postponed.
“I think that the problem here is that everyone seems to be putting the pressure on the players, which they cannot do. What is happening in India is that everyone asking the players which one you want to play with whether Hockey India or Indian Hockey federation,” Brasa said reacting to the postponement.
“It’s like asking your son whether he loves his father or mother. That is very bad. That is the worse that you can do with a player, who is looking to build his career and thereby find resources for his living,” he said.
Brasa conducted training in two sessions — one in morning and other in the evening — on Monday. So far, one German and two Australian players and seven Indian players including Santosh Kumar of Madhya Pradesh, second goalkeeper in the team have reported.
The camp will continue till December 20 and the players and coach will reassemble in early February next year for a preparatory camp.