NEW DELHI: His predecessor Jesus Garcia Pallares was a bitter man when he quit the trainer’s job but fellow Spaniard David Perez does not have any
apprehension and believes he can help the Indian hockey team to become one of the top four sides in the world.

Perez, a renowned name in the field of professional training, was yesterday appointed as the Human Performance Manager of Indian hockey team after Pallares had resigned last month, citing Sports Authority of India’s “unprofessional” attitude.

Perez, who arrived in the country on Wednesday, signed a six-month contract with the SAI on Thursday and will fly with the Indian team on his maiden assignment to Canada later tonight for a seven-Test series, starting October 9.

“It’s a big honour to be associated with the national hockey team of a huge country like India. It is also huge responsibility as India are eight-time Olympic Champions,” Perez said.

“Indian players have immense talent. But the most important thing is to build a base for all parties to work together in helping India become one of the top four teams in the world.

“The sporting scenario in India is very interesting and it’s a big responsibility entrusted on me to help India regain its status in the elite league of world hockey,” he said.

Asked if he had any apprehension about the way things work here, Perez said, “I know it’s necessary for me to understand the system out here but India too should understand the system in which we work.”

The trainer from Spain has the rare distinction of working with 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games gold medal winning Spanish women’s hockey team and Fernando Leon, who won the gold in Tornado class sailing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

A thorough professional, Perez has already done his homework before landing here and believes the talented Indian players need some more improvement to match their European counterparts in fitness level.

“Before coming here, I have studied the players’ fitness. It is good but you need some more improvement to be among the best,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hockey India Secretary General Mohammad Aslam said although Perez has been handed a six-month contract till the World Cup to be held here next year, it can be extended depending upon the consent of both the parties.

“Perez has been given an open contract, all the terms and conditions of his contract are the same which was of Pallares. But if the association suits him as well as us, it can be extended,” Aslam said.