'It is Good For The Game If India Stay At Top'

Australian hockey legend Richard Charlesworth todayexpressed his willingness to coach the Indian team after an Indian hockeyofficial hinted at appointment of a foreign coach in the backdrop of the side'sbelow-par performance in the Champions Trophy at Amstelveen.

Charlesworth, who led the Australian side to glory inthe 1986 World Cup, said he was ready to accept the job if any such offer comeshis way.

"Coaching the Indian team would be a challenge. Iam not chasing the job, but am willing to consider any offer made in thisregard," the 51-year old Charlesworth said.

A high performance consultant and a man of variedinterests and deeds, Charlesworth said a lot could be done to lift Indian hockeyto the highs of yesteryears.

"However, any assignment should be long term ofsay five years, during which I can also groom Indian coaches who can then takeover. Basically, you need to put a structure in place that can sustainitself," said the former captain, who also coached the Australian women's team whichwon just about every major tournament, including the World Cup, Olympics and theChampions Trophy.The lacklustre performance of the Indian team in the ongoing Champions Trophy,in which they lost three of their first four matches before beating Pakistanyesterday, had prompted the Indian Hockey Federation secretary-general KJothikumaran to indicate that a foreign coach could be appointed for the team.

As a player, Charlesworth was acknowledged as one ofthe all-time greats, having participated in four Olympics. His biggest regrettodate has been the failure to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

"I have been to India a few times, and am aware ofthe conditions there. I feel that it is good for hockey if India consistentlyremains in the top bracket.

"As you saw last night against Pakistan, theIndians enjoyed a lot of support, even from the Dutch.

"There is a lot of talent in your country, but youalso need to have a structured long term programme to maintain consistency ofperformance," he said.

The concept of a foreign coach is being mooted in somequarters as it is thought that an "outsider" would be free of pullsand pressures that an Indian coach is subjected to.

In fact, back in the 1970s, the IHF under Ashwini Kumarwas in contact with Horst Wein of Germany, a noted theoretician, but the talksnever fructified.

From time to time since then, there have been suggestions to hire a foreigner totrain the players in specifics like penalty corner conversions.

In the 1990s, the IHF did contact Floris Bovelander,the Dutch penalty corner ace, to coach Indians in this department, but yetagain, the move fell through.

Charlesworth said there has been no approach whatsoeverfrom India.

"But I am certainly open to any offer provided Iam suitably compensated financially as coaching the Indian team would meanseparation from my family in Australia.

"Also I should have a support team which couldcommunicate my thoughts to the players in their own language," he said.

"Let me reiterate that I am not exactly lookingfor a job. I am enjoying a stress-free life right now, but I feel that I haveplenty of coaching still left in me," he added.

Besides hockey, Charlesworth was a practicing physicianin Perth from where he was elected to the House of Representatives for fourconsecutive terms.

He also authored a book on coaching that has beenacclaimed as one of the best of its kind.

"Right now, I am working on another book and willbe staying in Italy for about a year to complete it," he said.

PTI