New Delhi: Australian hockey legend Ric Charlesworth is in favour of a foreign coach for India as he feels Indian coaches “are not good enough to fulfil the requirements” of the modern-day game.
“I think India needs a foreign expert. I can say it from my experience that Indian coaches are not good enough to fulfil the requirements of modern hockey,” Charlesworth said.
Charlesworth’s comments came two days after fellow Australian Michael Nobbs was prematurely relieved of his duties as India’s chief coach because of non-performance.
Nobbs, who took over the charge in 2011, was offered a five-year contract and handsome salary, but his association with Indian finally ended on a bitter note within 2 years.
Nobbs, thus became the fourth foreigner to be shown the door before completion of the tenure. Before Nobbs, Spaniard Jose Barsa, Charlesworth and Germany’s Gerhard Rach coached the Indian side but were pushed out due to several issues.
Charlesworth said he was surprised by India’s decision to select Nobbs over Roelant Oltmans for the chief coach’s post.
“There are many questions. Firstly, if I was given a choice between Oltmans and Nobbs, I would have chosen the Oltmans who is more experienced,” Charlesworth said.
“Why did they choose Nobbs then? And if he was made the coach, he should have been given the support he needed,” said Charlesworth, who is presently the coach of Australian team.
Charlesworth also feels that a good structure and long-term planning is the need of the hour for Indian hockey, which is struggling to regain its glorious past. (PTI)