Brinkman could be next Indian hockey coach

Errol D’Cruz, TNN

PANAJI: Jacques Brinkman is likely to step into an area that angels should now fear to tread.

The former Dutch international, whose trophy cabinet is lined with Olympic and World Cup gold, is a strong candidate for the job of India hockey coach according to information from the Netherlands.

Brinkman who represented The Netherlands for 13 years to become the country’s most capped player with 337 internationals (surpassed by Teun de Nooijer), is reputed to be a fine interface between the players and modern training techniques.

Confirmation, however, of the 44-year-old’s meeting with Hockey India officials wasn’t forthcoming with both general secretary of Hockey India Narendra Batra and chairman of the development committee Pargat Singh not willing to reveal the candidates’ short list.

However, Gerry de Grooth, hockey correspondent and commentator with Dutch network NOS, said Brinkman would travel to India on Monday to discuss his prospects with Indian officials.

The former midfielder scored 84 goals while assisting the Oranje to gold medals at the 1990 Lahore and 1998 Utrecht World Cups as well as 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics where he retired. He has since been actively involved in coaching at Stichtse Cricket and Hockey Club (SCHC) in Bilthoven.

Brinkman has also coached other top league outfits such as the Amsterdam men and the Laren women after an illustrious career with Kampong.

A foreign coach is a hot topic raging in Indian hockey circles and continues to be a controversial subject after earlier appointments given to German Gerhard Rach, Australian Ric Charlesworth and Spaniard Jose Brasa ended in acrimony.