Technology with skills is Brasa’s mantra

Age Correspondent

New Delhi

May 5: Technology and modern hockey go hand in hand. Newly-appointed men’s hockey coach Jose Brasa plans to implement just that to revive India’s fortunes.

A touch of modern technology mixed with natural skills is how Brasa outlined his vision for Indian hockey.

Said Brasa here on Monday, “Training is a science. It isn’t like coffee for everybody. Each player has a different requirement.

“Say if I ask two players to run for 10 minutes, the final result will be very, very different. So each player will be tested and a proper plan will be put into place to achieve the best of results,” he said.

For that, Brasa has asked for a GPS, a heart rate measurement device, photo-electrical cells, video cameras and video software analysis to start with. The equipment will be part of day-to-day training once the Indian team returns from the Asia Cup in Malaysia.

“We need new apparatus, new material to work in a scientific way. All these things will be managed by a remote control camera that we can use from the bench.

“India have the most skilled players in the world, and I would like to see them play on those lines. We must not stop that. The defence might need some changes according to the new training techniques,” he said.

Though he boasts of an impressive CV, Brasa hasn’t coached a national team since 1997 and that is seen as a cause for concern.

Said the FIH’s master degree coach holder, “People might say that hockey has changed over the last 12 years, but I don’t think so. I have been involved with coaching (as part of the FIH team) in the last few years and nobody can take that away. I think it doesn’t matter if you are coaching women or men, a European team or an Asian team. A coach must know what is best for his players and should be able to deliver. I am here to do just that,” said Brasa who led the Spanish women to gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

He now heads to Malaysia to join the team for the Asia Cup. “Harendra is the main man and I will be there to help and guide whenever required. I will start my actual work from the next camp in June.”

India hasn’t been an easy place to work for most foreign coaches and Brasa is well aware of the challenges involved. The 55-year old sought the advice of former technical advisor Ric Charlesworth, who had a torrid time dealing with the then-authorities. “I think I can manage,” said Brasa. “I have found all the doors open so far and that is a positive sign.”

On his realistic goals, Brasa said “he could not promise gold in a day”.

“Charlesworth (during his tenure in India) said that any team needs at least four years to come to the top and I agree with that. We need to start now. Results come from pure hard work, and it is my formula for success.

“It is a process that comes after months and months of hard work. I am here to share my knowledge and everyone and anyone’s welcome to receive it.”

Brasa also said that he would like to have a say in the selection procedures.

FIH president satisfied

FIH president Leandro Negre expressed satisfaction over the progress of construction work on the National Stadium — venue for the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi. He though reiterated that India will not be allowed to host the mega event without a democratically elected unified body.

Negre also brushed aside security apprehensions surrounding the World Cup following Tennis Australia’s decision to pull out of the Davis Cup tie in Chennai.

“There is no such fear. We (FIH) haven’t received anything on that front from any country as of now,” he said.