Ric’s in the game

Charlesworth is set to become the Technical Director of Indian hockey
Sukhwant Basra & Joe Williams

MUMBAI: The Indian Hockey Federation is being dragged kicking and screaming into the modern age of coaching. Despite the reservations of its office-bearers, who believe that only an Indian can mould our men into world-beaters, Richard Ian Charlesworth has been asked by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to come and oversee India’s hockey development as Technical Director.

Despite reluctance the IHF has ratified his appointment even as the women’s wing - IWHF - welcomed the move from the start.

Will assist Carvalho!

“He (Charlesworth) has been approached with the assistance of the Indian government, which will pay his fees. He will soon be there with the Indian team,” said KPS Gill, president IHF.

However the IHF is quick to point out that present coach Joaquim Carvalho will not be sidelined. “The team has been doing well, and we respect the good job done by Carvalho. Bringing in a new coach is out of the question, but we want someone to assist the good work being done by Carvalho. That is the reason for bringing in Charlesworth,” added Gill.

Charlesworth has played five Olympics for Australia and guided its women’s team to four Champions Trophy triumphs as well as with two Olympic golds. The scenario of his just coming along to assist Carvalho is, frankly, quite improbable.

The IHF probably does not want to make its coach feel insecure, but murmurs from within the body suggest that Gill is not in favour of a foreign coach. The good news is that Charlesworth is not being hired by Gill and his ilk. As such, expect a frank and brutal analysis of the Indian system in the coming months.

The funny bit is that even as the president confirmed the involvement of Charlesworth, IHF secretary K Jyothikumaran said: “I know nothing about what’s happening.”

Bigger picture

The FIH has also become more attuned to the need for the revival of hockey in the sub-continent ever since it realised that it is here that stadiums are packed to overflowing.

The apparent lack of a system and the inability of the local federations to groom world-class teams have forced the body to react. The success of cricket in raising huge monies from the region would also have piqued the FIH’s interest in tapping what is emerging as one of the economic hubs of the modern world.

In 2006 it initiated the Promoting Indian Hockey project and then followed it up with the Revive Pakistan Hockey initiative early this year.

The International Olympic Committee has also been prodding the FIH to rekindle hockey. The threat of its being replaced by some more popular sport in the Olympic Games is not something to be taken lightly.

Expect dissent

As per the assignment, Charlesworth will deal with all the technical matters of both men’s and women’s national teams, including the juniors. Elsewhere Technical Directors formulate overall strategies to build the sport from the grass root level.

But just how much of the advice Charlesworth gives will be heeded by the people in command of our federations will prove to be the crucial factor.

The precise ambit of his role is yet to be defined but don’t be surprised to hear voices raised in protest at the money being forked out to secure his services.

IHF sources say that the government will give $7,500 per month while the FIH has committed to $60,000. That puts his salary in the vicinity of $150,000 for the year. 

Hope for change

Charlesworth has time and again made no secret of his desire to coach India. He may not have worked too much with a men’s team, but his grasp of the game and his experience gives rise to legitimate hopes that things can change for the better.

“His involvement will do a world of good for the game in India. He is not just a player but also an able administrator. We can definitely look forward to good things from him,” said enthused former Olympian MM Somaiya.

Just how much success Charlesworth will taste will depend upon his ability to walk the tight rope between bringing in change and managing to avoid treading on any official’s toes.

But surely this is one opportunity Indian hockey can’t afford to let go.