A chat with Dinesh Mitchell, ex-assistant coach of Indian women's basketball team

Dinesh Mitchell, basketball player who had coached the Indian women’s side for the FIBA Asia Qualifying in India shares his experience with the team and tells us about India’s star players and their future.

Q) What are your future plans for Indian women’s team?

Dinesh) If I am involved with them in future, I would like to keep working on improving their level of organised play to meet international standards and rules. Already in my very short stay the squad has improved a lot as they all possess natural skills and are dedicated. International exposure for all members is what I would focus on as well as more games played together so that the team can gel.

Q) Who do you think is the best player of the team?

Dinesh) There is no such thing as best player or worst player in my book. I believe that they are all talented and possess the skills… just at different levels. All the players have their strong points and weaker points which can always be improved.

Dinesh Mitchell

Q) How was your coaching stint with the squad?

Dinesh ) Because of the international exposure I have had as a player and a coach, I am in the right position to teach and improve their standard and to get them ready to compete with squads who have had the opportunity to play for longer and against a wider scope of International sides. Since I am not only a coach but also a professional player, I can teach on both levels.

Q) Were the players cooperative with you?

Dinesh: More than what I had hoped for. They were always cooperative and willing to learn new things. I kept in mind that it was the first time that they had to be coached by a foreign coach and learn a new way of playing the game… Nevertheless, I never detected reluctance from the players. It really was a pleasurable challenge thanks to the squad.

Q) Do you think Basketball has the capacity to grow in the world? What do you aspire for?

Dinesh: My dream is for the sport of Basketball to grow in all continents at the same level of recognition as it is in the NBA… and of course, I would like to be a part of this dream so I will keep fighting for it anywhere just like I am doing in my own country, South Africa.

Q) Who do you think is the ideal player in the side?

Dinesh: My ideal player in the side would be Geethu Anna Jose; not to say that she is regarded in my eyes as superior to the other members, but due to her exposure and natural skills, she has proven to have a drive and commitment that is rare and wonderful. She is great player and I see her achieving whatever she sets her mind to.

Q) Which player from India can make to WNBA?

Dinesh: From the little time I spent with the players, the 2 players who stood out the most would be Geethu and Prashanti as possible candidates for the WNBA.

The last thing that I would like to say is that I saw great potential in each of the players of the Indian squad. I was a stranger to them and so were they to me but I saw how many great things could be achieved. The time of a little more than 2 months that we were given to prepare for the Tournament wasn’t merely enough to do better. It would have taken a miracle for the side to come out as number 1. My coaching style is not to bet on miracles and hopes, but rather to be fully prepared, so that when we win, it is not out of luck, but because our skills and because our team is better than the others. I look forward to having a more permanent opportunity to work with the side again… They deserve to be given the chance by any means possible.