New Delhi: India's hockey coach Jose Brasa
today dismissed reports of a players' revolt against him and
ruled out quitting his job over the issue.
Although the Indian hockey circle is abuzz with the news
of a revolt by some disgruntled senior players against the
Spanish coach, Brasa claimed he enjoys the support of all his
wards.
"All the reports of the players' revolt are false. They
do not have even an iota of truth. I have good relations with
the players and my association with Indian hockey would be for
a longer period," Brasa told reporters from Pune.
According to reports, some senior players including
former captain Sandeep Singh are not happy with the Brasa's
style of functioning and have even shot a letter to Hockey
India in this regard.
The incident has forced HI President A K Mattoo to dash
off to Pune to take stock of the situation as the players have
assembled in the Baelwadi Sports Complex there for a
preparatory Camp ahead of next month's Champions Challenge
tournament in Argentina.
Asked whether he has spoken to the players about the
reported revolt, Brasa said, "I don't need to talk to them
because I am with them 24 hours and I know what they think
about me."
Brasa also said that no Hockey India official has spoken
to him on the issue as yet.
"No one has approached me as yet and no one has asked for
any clarification and explanation," he said.
Already unhappy with the slow pace with which Sports
Authority of India works, Brasa also criticised the way Indian
hockey players were being treated at the ongoing camp.
"I have complained many a times about the food menu for
the players and no one seems to be listening. Players are
getting almost same type of food everyday. The chicken given
to them is no more than bones. I don't understand this.
"I have prepared a menu for the players but no one
follows that. I don't understand when things will change," he
fumed.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 18:17