Four national selectors have recommended to the Indian Sports Ministry to immediately discontinue Spaniards Jose Brasa’s services as Chief Hockey Coach and accused him of fanning ‘grougpism’ in the team.
In a letter to the Sports Authority of India, the four esteemed Olympians, Pravir Krishan, Ajitpal Singh, Balbir Singh, BP Govinda and Zafar Iqbal gave their recommendation about the removal of Jose Brasa’s services.
“We strongly recommend that the services of Mr. Jose Brasa be discontinued immediately in the best interest of Indian hockey and the responsibility be handed over to (National coach) Mr. Harendra Singh,” said
the Olympians.
Under Brasa’s guidance Indian ended eighth in 2010 World Cup at home and earned silver in the Common Wealth Games following an 8-0 thrashing at the hands of Australia in the final.
The Indians were hopeful to win the gold medal in the Asian Games 2010, in order to get direct entry into the 2012 Olympics London, but they came out with bronze only.
Coach Harendra resigned from his post accepting the “moral responsibility” of the inefficient performance in the Asian Games, while Chief Coach Brasa left for Spain on Tuesday after a meeting with Sports Ministry officials and
even skipper Rajpal Singh has accused Brasa of having ‘humiliated’ him repeatedly during the last World Cup and after.
It is expected that the Union Government is going to take a decision on December 3 about Brasa’s future with the Indian team.
As government observers Ajitpal and Zafar had made their recommendations in their capacity with Col.Balbir Singh as national selectors. They informed the SIA about their decision that was made after a comprehensive
discussion with players and other coaching staff.
"We discussed this matter with the senior players and support staff who also opined that his knowledge is limited with regard to the fine-tuning and game plan to successfully counter the opponents in crunch situations. This was
also observed during the World Cup and the Europe Tours in 2009 and 2010 "the letter said.
"We seriously doubt his ability as a top notch coach and feel that he cannot impart with more meaningful inputs to the team in terms of critical planning and strategy. He, however, can be useful for development at grassroots level
particularly in the basic fundamentals” the four selectors said in a signed letter.
"We feel that the coach should have the ability to impart training both theoretically and practically. Mr Brasa only possesses blackboard knowledge. The coach must be in a position to demonstrate practically on the field of play
and show and guide the players to correct their mistakes besides teaching them new and modern tactics” they said in the letter, a copy of which was made available to the media.
Brasa, who was hired on contract as coach of Indian hockey until the Asian Games, was accused of creating ‘disharmony' in the team by leaving the players ‘uncertain' about their respective roles. “The 2010 World
Cup is a glaring example where his off-the-field interferences broke the team spirit and fanned ‘groupism’” stated the Olympians.
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