Give Harendra full charge instead of Brasa: Bhaskaran

Showering praise on Indian hockey team for regaining the Azlan Shah title after 13 years, Olympian Vasudevan Bhaskaran on Monday said coach-in-charge Harendra Singh should be given full-time responsibility of the side, instead of roping in a foreigner for the top job.

Bhaskaran, who was the coach of Indian team that finished at a disappointing 11th spot in the 2006 World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany, was of the view that Harendra should be handed over complete control of the side till the 2012 London Olympics.

"The win is the result of positive thinking of coach-in-charge Harendra. He should be given time to prove himself till the 2012 London Olympics instead of bringing in Jose Brasa. I have been saying since long that a foreign coach is not very necessary to produce good results," Vasudevan said.

Bhaskaran's remark came a day after Sandeep Singh-led India men's team defeated hosts Malaysia 3-1 in the final on Sunday to clinch their fourth Azlan Shah title since 1995.

Bhaskaran, who was the captain of the gold medal winning 1980 Moscow Olympics side, felt that coaches should be appointed on a long-term basis to give them ample time to produce results.

"Ric Charlesworth asked for ten years, I also think that coaches should more time. That's what happened with me and now Harendra should also be given the same duration," he said.

"We need young and modern coaches to produce good results. Harendra has worked with me as an assistant and I know he always think positively." he added.

Spaniard Brasa is tipped to become the next head coach of Indian hockey team, a post which is vacant since Charlesworth's sudden resignation in July.

The Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee, running the affairs of the game in the country, has already given a final proposal to Brasa and is expecting to finalise his appointment within a month.

Interestingly, Harendra, himself had been advocating the need for an overseas coach and many a times insisted that he will have no problem in working with Brasa.

However, Bhaskaran, thinks differently and feels bringing in a new coach before important international assignments like next year's Delhi Commonwealth Games, World Cup and next month's Asia Cup, would only hamper the team's preparation.

"Recruiting new coach before 2010 Commonwealth Games, World Cup or the Asia Cup will have a negative impact on team's performance. A new coach takes at least two years to put everything in order and hence, such a step will be bad for Indian hockey," he viewed.

"It will be wise to create a pool of 40-50 probables before the three tournaments rather than creating hue and cry over a foreign coach," he added.

The Arjuna Awardee hockey veteran, also heaped praise on skipper Sandeep, who was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his sterling display in the event.

"It's a welcome win. It's not an easy task to beat teams like Pakistan and Malaysia. I am quite impressed with the performance of experienced drag-flicker Sandeep. His penalty corner conversion is a pleasant thing to watch.

"I hope, India will figure among top eight in world ranking by the next year," he said.