India is a place with immense talent and potential: Mihailovic
The Serb, who is the head coach of Prime Volleyball League outfit Ahmedabad Defenders, feels all that the players need is stability and a calm atmosphere to work in; he says he’s willing to take over as the coach of the Indian senior men’s team, if given
Prime Volleyball League team Ahmedabad Defenders’ head coach Dragan Mihailovic has a special affinity for the Indian spikers.
When he worked with the National men’s team for five months from May 2019, he witnessed from close quarters the amount of talent that existed in the country. The vastly experienced coach developed a close bond with quite a few Indian players during that period, making him take up the role of Defenders head coach on an SoS in the third edition of the PVL which concluded recently.
Explaining how he was roped in at the last minute, Mihailovic said, “When I was leading the FIVB support team as Instructor for the Hong Kong Volleyball Association’s National team, I received a call from my friend and owner of Ahmedabad Defenders (Bonhomie Sports), I understood he was in an unusual situation. Immediately after the World Club Championships (in Bengaluru), the team woke up without its coaching staff. I was asked whether I could take up the offer and I took it up as a challenge. Such kind of things don’t happen every day.”
The Defenders, with a good mix of youth and experience, and led by setter
Muthusamy Appavu, fought valiantly to defeat tabletopper Calicut Heroes and make it to the Eliminator. However, it went down fighting to rookie Delhi Toofans in a draining fivesetter and failed to qualify for the final.
The 62yearold, who has coached the Serbia, Lebanon, Hong Kong, Greece and UAE national teams as well as many clubs across the world, said it is no exaggeration to say that India is a country brimming with talent. “I need to say that it was a pleasure to work with the guys [Indian men’s team]. It was a very successful stint (we finished eighth in Asian championships in Tehran and made it to Tokyo Olympic qualification tournament]. I am so happy that almost all the players — the 20 guys I worked with — were in PVL 2024. India is a place with immense talent and potential. All that the players need is stability and a calm atmosphere to work in.”
Mihailovic is a popular coach and an influential figure in the FIVB. Having toured several countries, his knowledge and inputs are valued. During the PVL in Chennai, there were rumours that the Serbian would take over as coach of the Indian men’s team and that the side would assemble at SAI (Bengaluru) in the first week of April.
“I, too, am hearing them. They are mere rumours. I cannot confirm it. I would love to take it up, but there has been no confirmation from anyone,” said Mihailovic.
Mihailovic narrated an incident in 2023 when the Indian men’s team was refused entry to the Asian Challenge Cup in Taiwan due to infighting and how he had had to pull strings to ensure its participation.
“The Indian team had arrived in Taiwan for the Asian Challenge Cup but the organisers decided that it will not be allowed to take the court. I managed to convince the FIVB and the Organising Committee to include the side. Though India lost all its matches, it at least got a chance to compete,” he said.
Commanding respect
At the PVL, Mihailovic commanded respect and affection, something that was evident right through the tournament. According to the coach, though the league was a qualified success, it must tweak its calendar and consider conducting it in SeptemberOctober to get the best international players.
“I am sure we can get better foreign players. Most of them are contracted to the European leagues. No foreign player will leave his league and come to play here. If the PVL is held for 34 months, everything, including the sponsors as well as the interest, will be better. You cannot bring a coach or a player for just two and half months. Everyone is looking for a bigger contract,” he said.
Mihailovic felt that for the sport to improve, the Indian players should be allowed to play in leagues abroad. “A few Indian players (three to five) can be allowed to play abroad (Thailand, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar). They will be back stronger and better in three to six months. Indonesia has a very strong league and good money is offered there. Indian volleyball is bound to improve if the players feature in foreign leagues,” he emphasised.
According to him, the key is to not just spot bright and young talent, but also to groom them to shine at the international stage at the age of 17. “Indian volleyball has improved but there are things to fix. Even the under17 level is very important for the new Volleyball Federation of India. Don’t wait till under21. People will laugh at you if you say a player is talented at 21 because you explode at 22,” he said.
Mihailovic is one of the busiest international coaches and if India manages to get his services, it will be a big boost.
When asked if he was willing to take up the role of the Indian team’s head coach, Mihailovic said: “I will say ‘why not?’ With a little better organisation, everything will be fine in Indian volleyball.”