Rio is hope and not reality: Van Ass
NEW DELHI: India’s newly-appointed men’s hockey coach Paul van Ass made it clear that winning a medal at the Rio Olympics next year is easier said than done.
Replying to a barrage of questions, which mainly focused on India’s preparations for the quadrennial Games and whether he had a result-oriented plan in mind, the Dutch tactician said, “There is a big difference between hope and reality. To win a medal in Rio is hope and not reality.”
On the day of his first media interaction, the Dutch coach seemed visibly upset, not because his wards were slipping on the hockey turf, but because his cab driver was missing when he stepped out of his hotel room. Van Ass had to finally hail another cab to reach the National Stadium for the training session. “It’s important to adjust to the new system,” was all he said about the ordeal and got down to more serious questions.
Perhaps ruffled by the ordeal, the coach forgot the media interaction was to take place in the conference room. Instead, he started answering questions at the makeshift seating arrangement adjoining the playing arena. “I don’t want to introduce the new system, but would lay emphasis on the Indian style of play,” said Van Ass in response to the first question.
But he added that despite India’s standard of hockey improving, there was room for improvement. “In reality, the national team is improving. It has improved its ranking. But, there is scope for improvement.”
The coach admitted that the language barrier would be a big challenge, but “I have a plan to overcome it. The more I know about the culture, the better I would be able to communicate with the players.”
Perhaps, the players will be his real coaches on this front.