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Difficult to find a foreign coach in 15 days: Pargat

Pargat Singh says it is dificult to find a coach in two weeks.

New Delhi: Former captain Pargat Singh, who is a member of the five-man panel entrusted with the responsibility of finding a foreign coach for the national hockey team is apprehensive about whether the job can be accomplished in the next two weeks.
During Tuesday’s coaching and development committee meeting of Hockey India (HI) to review the team`s shoddy performance at last month`s Azlan Shah Meet, the association decided to form a five-member panel that also includes former players Jagbir Singh, Balbir Singh, SS Grewal and AB Subbiah, to scout for a foreign expert within 15 days. But Pargat, who is also the chairman of HI`s coaching and development panel criticised the national body for waking up so late and said the scenario could have been different if they had paid heed to his suggestions. "Till date, my proposals tabled in December last year haven`t been implemented. There is total chaos in the whole system. I still don`t know whether we will get a foreign coach or an advisor. Time is too short but I will try my level best," the former captain told reporters here on Wednesday."While searching for a candidate, we also have to keep in mind that a coach should suit to our system and have a good understanding of our system," Pargat added. The need for a foreign coach has emerged yet again in Indian hockey after the national team finished a lowly sixth out of seven teams in last month`s Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia. But with almost all the best coaches of the world already engaged, it will be a herculean task for Pargat and Co to find a suitable candidate who can guide India in the London Olympic qualifiers, which is less than a year away. Asked if they have any thoughts of bringing back Spaniard Jose Brasa, whose contract expired after the Asian Games, Pargat said, "It is still not in our minds. Under him the team has performed well and consistently. But if situation demands we will discuss his name."He also rued the absence of a coaching structure in the country and said with the present set up it will be difficult for the eight-time champions to qualify for the London Olympics. "There is no coaching mechanism in our country. With this set up I don`t think we will ever qualify for Olympics. It will be very challenging but with minor changes we can qualify," Pargat insisted. PTI