India rejects proposal of German hockey Coach, Peter Rach

The proposal of Gerhard Peter Rach, who wanted to become coach of the women’s hockey team, has been refused by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Hockey India (HI). The authorities were of the view that they do not need any imported coach at the present
time.

It is pertinent to mention here that German hockey coach; Rach was appointed as the first foreign trainer of the Indian men’s hockey team back in 2004 and remained with the squad only for five months. Regardless of bitter experience, he dispatched an application
to the SAI and HI showing his willingness to become coach of the Indian women’s hockey squad. At the same time he also wanted to prepare the men’s hockey team for qualifiers to the 2012 London Olympics.  

Speaking to the media about his proposal, Rach said that he had quit the post as he failed to understand the sport’s environment in India. He further said that then he had spent much time in the sub-continent for last many years and learned the Asian way
of life.

The German trainer, who recently quit the Bangladesh hockey team, stated that he could even polish off local language to apprehend the approaches of local players, adding that he could deliver better performance as compare to the past era.

Rach also has a desire to train the men’s squad of India but now it seemed difficult to be fulfilled, as the sports’ authorities in India are looking quite seasoned and fabled coach as like as Rick Ric Charlesworth of Australia.

Admiring the Indian hockey, the former coach uttered that the Indian teams particularly the Women’s squad delivered outstanding and impressive performances in the recent era. He further said that he wanted to take the charge of the coaching seat as a different
challenge and to bring improvement in the women’s sport.               

He said, “I want to coach India men’s team again but I can’t see any opportunity for me as of now. I am a great fan of Indian hockey and I am impressed with the past performance of women’s team as well. It will be a different challenge altogether and I want
to face it.”

As per the expectations, the SAI and HI passed up the proposal of the German coach saying that they are not interested to hire a foreign trainer.

Rach claimed that he had consulted with Secretary General HI, Narinder Batra and Chairman of the HI Development Committee Pargat Singh prior to apply the proposal, who, asked him to send documents to the authorities concerned.

To a query, the German national was of the view that the financial issues were the major cause for leaving the post in Bangladesh.

He underlined, “Bangladesh National Hockey federation lacked the funds required to finance training camps abroad and trips to play foreign opponents. They were not even able to remunerate me fully for my efforts. In fact, my activities in Bangladesh were
financed in part through my Dubai based maintenance company.”

It is vital to mention here that the coach of India women’s hockey team, MK Kaushik had been sacked from his post in the last year after the revelation of a sex scandal. He was reported to be involved in sex harassment, which resulted of his termination
from the team. Later on Ranjan Negi was appointed as temporary trainer of the team as important events were lying ahead at that time. While on the other hand, the contract of the Spaniard Jose Brasa, the coach of the men’s hockey team has not been renewed
for another term, which was expired after the Asian Games.