Ric Charlesworth says long-term planning can help India realize its full potential

Legendary player and coach Ric Charlesworth outlined his vision for Indian hockey at the conclusion of the FIH Executive Board meeting in the nation's capital.

Charlesworth recently agreed to become Technical Advisor/Expert Coach to Indian Hockey, the culmination of an extensive search for potential and available candidates. Thanks to the full co-operation of the Sports Authority of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Indian Olympic Association and the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the services of Charlesworth, indisputably the finest high-performance manager in world hockey, were secured.

The appointment of Charlesworth is one of the outcomes of the ÔÇÿPromotion Indian Hockey' project of the FIH in cooperation with the Indian Hockey Confederation, the Indian Olympic Association and Olympic Solidarity of the IOC.

ÔÇ£My role is to oversee the development of a thorough long-term strategy for the improvement of Indian HockeyÔÇØ Charlesworth said. ÔÇ£We will be steering a new course with fresh ideas and immediate practical assistance where required in the short-term.ÔÇØ

ÔÇ£My role has essentially 3 phases: discovery, recommendation and executionÔÇØ. The discovery phase will commence over the next few months, during which we intend to examine the structure and processes that currently drive hockey here, in order that they can be refined and rebuilt in a strategic manner. The process covers the Mens', Womens' and Junior games.ÔÇØ

Charlesworth relocates to India in the 2^nd week of December.

Indian Hockey Confederation President KPS Gill remarked: ÔÇ£The IHC is very proud to have the world's best hockey mind working for the betterment of Indian Hockey. We will provide him with full support in order that Indian hockey may reach its full potential.ÔÇØ