It appears that the dark clouds hovering over the basketball scenario in the country are finally set to give way to a bright phase following the appointment of a foreign coach by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). Serbian Aleksandar Bucan, who took charge in June, has been given a six-month contract to take the game forward.
The 34-year old was Yugoslavia's head coach that struck gold in the European Cadet Championships in 2001 and the assistant coach of the Serbia and Montenegro senior side which won the Serbian Cup in 2004. He also played for different clubs in his country. On the sidelines of a coaches' clinic organised by the Karnataka State Basketball Association, Bucan spoke to Deccan Herald on a variety of topics. Excerpts:
What was on your mind when you were approached by the BFI?
I like challenges. So, when the Indian authorities approached me I didn't hesitate to say yes. I knew that India were ranked 50th in the world. It is a huge task to help them to claim a spot inside the top-ten. But I feel six months is too short a time to make significant changes in the overall pattern of play here.
What are your immediate plans?
This country is too large for one man to make the changes. It will be a team effort between me and coaches from all the states in India. I am planning to conduct coaches' clinic and teach them the most modern methods of training. It includes fitness training, the diet for the players, skills improvement, strategy to be implemented during matches and video analysis of NBA and European leagues.
In August, I will be with the Junior National squads (boys and girls) for a 40-day camp. Because, the real launching pad for attaining good standards are the sub-junior and junior categories.
Do you hope you get an extension?
I hope after six months the BFI will be impressed with my work and provide me with more time.
Your take on the talent pool in the country? Have you identified players with potential?
No doubt there is talent in India. We Europeans start honing the basic skills from the age of five or six whereas Indians start only at the age of 12 and beyond. Moreover, you need good, qualified coaches. What I saw in Ananthpur during the Junior National championships was that many players erred in their basics and used wrong tactics in both offense and defence. Besides, the Indian youngsters always look at the ball while dribbling and are selfish too. These are basic errors. One notable exception I found was Sunil Kumar from Delhi. He has a bright future ahead of him if trained properly. I don't think it will be hard for me to find more of his kind in this vastly populated country.
The NBA and European players are much more talented and are bigger made. Can the Indians match them?
Often, it is mistaken that taller players are better basketball players. But the important thing is how tall you play. This is where tactics and skills are important.
India's next assignment is the Asian Championships in Japan, how far do you think the Indians can go?
This is my first assignment and I will get hardly a month to work with the team. First, we should cross the group stages and then hope for better things to happen.