Jose Brasa signs contract as chief hockey coach

Sports Reporter, THE HINDU

NEW DELHI: Jose Manuel Brasa, within hours of his arrival here on Monday, signed the contract with the Sports Authority of India as the chief coach of the Indian hockey team.

Later, the Spanish coach met Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill and officials of the ministry and SAI.

Mr. Gill assured Brasa of all help, including his requirement to learn Hindi in order to communicate smoothly with the players.

“I was happy to meet Brasa and held a detailed discussion with him about the work he will be doing,” Mr. Gill said after meeting the Spaniard at his residence.

Full support

“Spanish people are as emotional as we Indians and I am confident that Brasa will have a good relationship with all the players and support staff. I expect him to take the Indian hockey team to a higher level and I’ve assured him that the Ministry will give him full support,” the Sports Minister said.

The 57-year-old will be presented before the media on Tuesday before he leaves for Malaysia to join the Indian team in its pursuit to make a hat-trick of Asia Cup title wins.
Ignoring advice

On making up his mind on the India job, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) master coach said he came here despite getting negative feedback from former Technical Advisor and Australian great Ric Charlesworth. “I exchanged a lot of e-mails with him. He told me ‘Do not go’,” Brasa said.

The good-humoured Spaniard praised the Indians as “the best skilful players in the world” and asserted that he was optimistic about the job and was here “to win medals.”

He, however, admitted that the Indian side “needed to improve its teamwork.” — Sports Reporter