New chief coach of the Indian hockey team Joaquim Carvalho on Saturday scotched speculation that his appointment is a stop-gap arrangement and said he would quit if his team fails to qualify for the Olympics.
"I have set goals for myself and it is wrong to say that it is a stop-gap arrangement," Carvalho said.
"The Beijing Olympics is just over a year away, but my goal is to get the team qualify for it. If I fail to do so, I will quit and will not wait to be given the boot," Carvalho said.
Carvalho said he has envisioned a system to raise the standards of the national hockey team.
"I gave 24 hours to the Indian Hockey Federation before giving my concurrence for the job and requested them to accept a project submitted by me to rope in former Olympians to help raise the standard of Indian hockey.
"A system will be in place for all departments of the game, including coaching, in tune with the latest methods in world hockey," he said.
Carvalho said, as desired by the FIH, the IHF is looking for an international player to be adviser for both senior and junior levels of the game in India.
He said every member of the side would be responsible for the team's performances in international tournaments.
"Everyone, each player and myself will be accountable. Well-qualified people will be involved in our efforts, first to help the team qualify for the 2008 Olympics," he added.
Stating that he is not averse to roping in a foreign coach to assist both junior and senior teams on an advisory capacity, Carvalho said, "Such an arrangement with an Indian at the helm of affairs will do a world of good and benefit the game. I am all for it and it will be advantageous to our scheme of things."
Reiterating that it would do no harm if a foreign coach provides inputs in coaching methods, Carvalho said: "No game in India, including football and cricket, which is a religion in the country, has thrived under a foreign coach at the helm."
He cited the example of Pakistan making the World Cup final in Lahore with a foreign coach in an advisory capacity, with a Pakistani as chief coach.
He said his terms and conditions and agreement with the IHF is not meant to be discussed with the media.
"I need not make public my agreement with the IHF. Both (IHF president) KPS Gill and (secretary) K Jothikumaran have assured me of all necessary support in my endeavour. I have excellent support staff to realise my goals," he said.
