IOA sends appointment letter to Brasa

The Sports Ministry, through the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has finally sent the appointment letter to Spain’s Jose Brasa, Indian Olympic Association (IOA)-formed ad-hoc committee’s convenor Mohammad Aslam Khan said.

The IOA now awaits Brasa’s reply, which Khan said would take a bit of time, taking in mind the long Easter weekend. “We have sent him the letter and expect a positive reply,” Khan said.

Brasa had been widely tipped to take charge of the men’s team but his appointment was delayed first because of his other commitments and later because of the death of an official in the Sports Ministry. He was supposed to join the Indian team for the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia but was advised by the IOA against it.

Though Khan didn’t divulge the details of the letter, sources within know of things at the IOA, said he will be paid around 8,000 euros (about Rs 5.25 lakh) a month. His contract would be for two years at least and would be extendable till the London Olympics in 2012, depending on the team’s performance.

“It was necessary to give him some time to adapt. Two years should be enough for him to prove his worth and his association with the team after that will depend only on the results,” the source said. The Indian team is without a coach since the fallout with Australian Ric Charlesworth and currently the charge has been given to Harendra Singh.

Whether Brasa would be allowed to get his own support staff as he has demanded and what happens to the current coaching staff after his appointment, still remain unclear.

Brasa was interviewed by the IOA officials in January. He has been the coach of the Spanish women’s team which won the gold at 1992 Barcelona Olympics.