D' Souza to coach Greek hockey teams

Mumbai:

Former Indian hockey coach Cedric D' Souza has a new job. He will now coach the men's and women's hockey teams of Greece. D' Souza has been specifically hired to coach the host country for the Athens Olympics. And though he was unceremoniously sacked as coach last year, Cedric says he owes a lot to Indian hockey. "I am what I am today because of Indian hockey and the blessings of the federation, who encouraged me to become and evolve as a coach. So as far as I am concerned I'm indebted to Indian hockey and I'll take what I've learnt and try and transfer it to Greek hockey," said D' Souza. Cedric D' Souza has coached India twice. The last time was during the Hockey World Cup in 2002 when India finished tenth. The Indian Hockey Federation had asked him to sit out for the last two games. Cedric resigned and returned home immediately. But the controversies surrounding his second stint as coach is something he has turned into a positive. Cedric's immediate goal will be to make both the men and women's teams from Greece qualify for the main draw at the Olympics. The qualifying starts in March next year and Cedric says he will be focusing on physical fitness, technique and mental toughness.