With the race for the Commonwealth Games heating up, the teams and coaches have begun to chart out their plans for the mega event.
For the Indian hockey team, that opportunity lies in the month-long European tour beginning July 3, where they will face the likes of world number 2 Germany and third-ranked Holland.
Chief coach Jose Brasa wanted to “use the experience in every possible manner” to prepare his squad for the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, but the selectors’ decision to “rest” the senior players has put a spanner in his plans.
In his first interview after the World Cup at home in March, Brasa said he “feared that the country will continue to lag behind if problems remain unresolved”. “It is not everyday that one gets to play top teams like Germany and Holland, and we are going there with inexperienced players. I fail to understand this,” Brasa said before the team’s departure to Germany on Saturday night.
“It is not wise to change the core group when we are so close to the Commonwealth Games. The European teams will be one of the biggest tests and we need to field our best XI. Players like Adrian D’Souza, Arjun Halappa, V.S. Vinaya and Vikram Pillay just cannot sit at home,” he said.
The Spaniard, who took charge an year ago, is now reduced to a mere spectator when it comes to selection matters. If reports are to be believed, the selectors walked out of the team selection meeting in Pune earlier this month, as soon as Brasa began to voice his opinion.
“Sadly, the selectors did not want to hear any arguments,” he said.
To make matters worse, there is a gag order from the Sports Authority of India. “I do not understand why I cannot speak. India is a democratic country, isn’t it? And all I want is Indian hockey to progress. I am sure the authorities have a similar aim, but why the reluctance to help?” he asked.
On Sunday, he even urged the authorities to join hands to help take Indian hockey ahead. “I am not fighting against the SAI. I am fighting for the national sport of this country. Everyone wants to have the last word here and that is a big problem,” Brasa said. “We need to work as a team.”
Talking about the Commonwealth Games in October, Brasa felt that “it will be an emotional thing for the people of the country”.
“That is not good for me as a coach, but that is how India is. The team will have to control their emotions in a much better manner than what they did at the World Cup. We need to do well to carry the confidence to the Asian Games, which is the real aim for this year. India have to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games, and the Asian Games will be the final test.”