Basketball Federation of India Ropes in Serbian Veselin Matic For Coaching The Team Of Men

The basketball team of Indian men has been mired in controversy recently. While there have been reports of infighting in between players, their on-court performances haven’t been up to the mark. For improving the status, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) has roped in former Iran and Syria coach Veselin Matic. 

In the Commonwealth Games last year, the team lost all three matches. The coach os Women’s team, Zoran Visic, took temporary responsibility for the FIBA World Cup, Asian qualifiers but the results did not improve. They lost all their first round Group C games. To their first ever World Championship qualification in 2010, the incoming Serbian coach had led Iran after they won the Asian Championship in 2009 after beating China in the final. Poland and Lebanon national teams have also got training from Matic in his 30-year coaching career. According to BFI, the sports ministry has already cleared his name with just a few formalities pending. He is expected to take charge by the end of next month. BFI secretary general Chander Mukhi Sharma said that he is an experienced coach and someone who can improve the performance of the team while also setting the groundwork for coaches in the country. They will have regular zonal coaching camps and clinics for coaches.

With the Olympic qualification chanced of India ruled out, the first job of Matic will be to do well in the William Jones Cup where the team is likely to participate. Meanwhile, Visic is likely to return as the coach of the women’s team. Sharma stated that the appointment of Serb was expected to be confirmed by the sports ministry very soon. The re-election of K Govindaraj, BFI President, and Chander Mukhi Sharma, Secretary General was unanimously done at the body’s annual general meeting on Sunday. The new body promised for restructuring the national championships and also proposed a six-team women’s league to be conducted in the next three months.

Govindaraj said that they have formed a new committee for the restructuring of the national meets. It will give them their proposals in the next 45 days. They will have a zone-wise competition before a final round. For the women’s league, they will have it in six cities first. They will see how it goes and then they will take a call on taking it to other cities. They will also be hosting more international tournaments in the coming days.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: http://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/other/2019/mar/25/basketball-federation-of-india-ropes-in-serbian-veselin-matic-to-coach-mens-team-1955404.html