One of the most hotly debated topics in Indian sport is whether, there is a need to have foreign coaches for our national teams. Among the major sports, Cricket and Football have joined the bandwagon fulltime, while hockey has flirted with the idea once. Other sports like shooting, table tennis and boxing are also employing foreign coaches.
The call for a foreign coach is mainly based on the ineptitude of our local talent; home grown coaches who rarely have the relevant coaching experience, and are not abreast of the latest coaching techniques and training methodologies. This school of thought curries favour with most modern sports administrators, whose penchant for the foreigner, however, is borne out of the desire to get a quick fix solution and sweep their own misgivings under the carpet. Their selection criterion is pretty simple; get a coach from the country currently dominating the sport.
Ironically, the selection panel generally consists of former greats, who, strongly feel that a foreign coach is like an imported car on bumpy Indian roads – completely out of place. Most of them will take the job of coaching the national team at the drop of a hat; in spite of never having coached a school team, and are gripped by jingoistic pride every time a foreign mercenary treads upon their coaching fiefdom. Their selection procedure gives undue importance to the playing career of the candidate, undermining the entire exercise.
So, as we prepare to make another selection, what is the solution to this coaching conundrum?
Well, for starters let’s try answer, what makes a 'good' national coach?
A 'good' national coach should have proven coaching credentials at the first class level, in a competitive sporting environment. To be able to adapt to the changing nature of the modern game, he should constantly be in tune with the latest coaching methodologies. A taste of the international game is another added advantage.
His coaching resume should provide enough evidence of having made his team larger than the sum of the parts, and of having strategized as per the strengths of the players and not the other way round. His teams should have exhibited signs of being prepared for multiple situations and displayed flawless execution. He should have developed a system, which consistently delivered, without suffering from the occasional absence of key players.
Now, that we have defined 'good', let’s look at past mistakes and global best practices to throw more light on this matter.
Just don’t get any foreign coach. Get a good one - After a spate of dismal performances, the Indian Hockey Federation decided to appoint a foreign coach. The legendary German coach, Paul Lissek, was willing, but he was deemed too expensive by the IHF. So they got a cheaper German; little-known Gerhard Rach instead. The team’s cheap performances were a fait accompli all along.
Instead of buying imported cars for eternity, try setting up a world class local manufacturing facility - All the major football leagues in the world; England, Spain and Italy, make it mandatory for a coach to first acquire a coaching diploma. These programs are in turn designed and run by reputed coaches, and the syllabus is regularly updated. In comparison most of our coaches learn on the job and the few ‘certified’ ones benefit from the generosity of NIS (National Institute of Sports) Patiala; whose philanthropy compares to the way driving licenses are handed out in our country.
Joint ventures work really well – Taking an automobile analogy, an indigenous suspension can cushion the impact of Indian roads. Successful foreign coaches, have long employed local assistant coaches and scouts. This helps the foreign coach in appreciating the sports culture of the country; in understanding the domestic structure of the game; and facilitating clear communication with the players( especially, if there is a language barrier). An added advantage is that most of these assistants benefit from the tutelage and turn out pretty good themselves. (E.g. José Mourinho under Bobby Robson)
When selecting a coach, ask for his coaching resume, and not his playing one - What is common to John Bracewell of New Zealand, Tom Moody of Sri Lanka, Dave Whatmore of Bangladesh, Mickey Arthur of South Africa and Roger Harper of Kenya? Answer – They are all coaches of successful WC 2007 teams, who had moderate cricketing careers. There are countless other examples which prove the same point - Good coaches don’t have to be great players as well. And, come to think of it, one of the Indian selectors had the temerity to ask Tom Moody, how he even considered applying for the Indian post, when his career stats were far inferior to those of fellow applicant, Greg Chappell. Wonder what the selector has to say now?
Finally the silver lining - The great Indian coach is not a bridge too far. The emergence of Venkatesh Prasad, Praveen Amre and Robin Singh as competent coaches, who are making sincere efforts to fit the mould of a modern day coach, provides hope for the future. An assistant coaching stint under a good foreign coach and regular exposure to modern methodologies will go a long way in making great coaches out of them.
Bottom-line – A ‘good’ foreign coach with Indian assistants is the need of the hour. A good infrastructure, where coaches are trained and given on the job learning as well, will bring in a new tomorrow.
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