The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : `Team unity is key to success'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005

Sport

Sport - Hockey

`Team unity is key to success'

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD, JAN. 17. He belongs to a different breed.

Neither is he a former Olympian nor an ex-international. But, the 43-year-old, Maurits Hendriks of Holland is credited with changing the face of Spanish hockey ever since he joined them as chief coach in 2002.

Proof of that is Spain scripting a glorious chapter in its maiden title-win in the last month's Champions Trophy in Lahore.

This graduate in Law and Psychology is in the City as tournament director of the on-going Premier Hockey League championship and more importantly as technical advisor conducting classes to the coaches of all the Tier I teams here.

That he was studiously going through the video tapes of the matches to give vital inputs to the respective coaches should convey the seriousness with which he has taken up the job.

The top brass of Spanish Hockey Federation decided before the 2004 Athens Olympics itself to engage his services as chief coach till the next Olympics in Beijing.

"Apparently, I can confidently say that I got the complete freedom and support of the national federation. For me Spain is like my second home," he says with a big smile.

Gradual resurgence

The Spanish resurgence on international circuit was not sudden but a gradual one.

"In fact Spain lost to every nation in the first one year I took over. Then the best part is that there is no panic amongst the officials," he recalls. How exactly did he go about his job? "Well, it was a constant and continuous process which included showing the gate to many veterans in the team. Kept on trying to select many young players," Hendriks explained.

When he took over Spain was ranked 11th in the world. "The whole emphasis was on team unity and this is the biggest factor which contributed to the team's success in Champions Trophy. For us, what was important was that we have been reaching the last four stage or the finals in most of the big events. That provided the impetus for the players. They were made to believe in themselves and play to their potential," the Dutch gentleman reasons out.

Inevitable question

The success story of Hendriks raises the inevitable question. What is wrong with Asian coaches?

"There is nothing like that. But, they start with a major handicap which is not because of them or hockey. These coaches don't have the same opening we have to scientific support like access to audio-visual facility to analyse things in proper perspective immediately after the matches, sports medicine, expertise on nutrition, psychological support," |he observed.

"It is very simple. If the players are not aware of what have (lunch or breakfast) four hours before a match without focus on nutritious diet, then things can go really awry. It is like even a Ferrari coming to a grinding halt if there is no fuel in it," he says with a big smile.

Yet, the Spanish chief coach is optimistic that the Asian coaches will also develop as the nations progress on different fronts.

Different perspective

On the former Olympians and internationals in Asia being not so supportive of foreign coaches, Hendriks has an interesting observation.

"You have to look at it in a different perspective. Hockey has a rich history in Asia. It is only logical that people who played their part in it have a strong voice. We respect history. But many current players feel that history was made many years ago when things were different. So, they feel that these former stars fail to understand the logistics of what it means to be great in contemporary sport. Hence, there is a feeling that it is easier to criticise and much harder to step in and try to contribute to today's success," says Spanish coach.

Significantly, Hendriks doesn't believe that the success of a team should necessarily depend on what style and technique they adopt. Pointing out that even in European countries itself there are glaring contrasts in their approach, he reminds that gold medals can be won with any style.

"What matters is the attitude and the desired mentality," he asserted. But, it is clear that he strongly believes that a coach — be it for any high-performance team or club-should be given a long reign.

"If a coach doesn't produce results in a minimum of three to four years, then he will never." This comment should serve as a reminder to the powers-that-be that coaching cannot be treated as a part-time assignment for short-term goals. "There is no short-cut to success in sport as in life," says Hendriks.

Summing up his experiences in the PHL so far, the Dutch gentleman who was also the chief coach of Holland from 1998 to 2002, says he is a big fan of the whole concept of PHL.

"It can be the best thing to have happened to Indian hockey and for a bright future it is essential to have a partnership with TV channels to not only promote talent, popularise the sport but bring more money into hockey," Hendriks concludes.

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