New Delhi: Tipped as the frontrunner to succeed Roelant Oltmans, World Cup-winning junior coach Harendra Singh is set to apply for the vacant senior men’s team coach’s position which has fallen vacant after the sacking of Roelant Oltmans. He said Wednesday that he is best suited for the role.
Harendra, who was associated with the senior men’s team as national coach from 2009 to 2011, said that his credentials are at par with all the foreign coaches in the world and his application would be hard to ignore for Hockey India (HI).
“Yes, I will definitely apply, there is no ambiguity in it. But I will submit my application after doing all the homework. I am willing to take over and I promise I will deliver to the expectations of the countrymen,” Harendra told this agency.
“I have 21 years of coaching experience and I am going to prepare a blueprint for 2020. My target is always to win a medal in any tournament because I am a true desh bhakt (patriot) and I always want to see the Tricolour flying high.
“A foreign coach will have to start from the scratch. He will not be aware of all the players. But I know these group of players in and out,” he added.
Harendra’s chances seem bright after HI high performance director David John had hinted Tuesday that the Junior World Cup winning-coach could be the frontrunner if he opts to apply.
“John knows me since 2011. We have worked together and have a very good understanding but I won’t like to predict anything. Let’s wait and watch,” said Harendra.
Although Harendra said that removing Oltmans was a right decision but said the timing was not right. “The decision was a right one but I feel HI was a little late. Every team appoints a coach from Olympic cycle to cycle and a new coach now will take time to adjust,” Harendra pointed out.
However, he was quick to point out that he had high regards for the Dutchman with whom he had worked during the junior World Cup.
“One thing is for sure Oltmans changed a lot of things in Indian hockey. He has changed the thinking of players, pattern of play and training system for the better,” pointed out Harendra.
