New Delhi: India’s newly-appointed women’s hockey coach Harendra Singh said Saturday that he expected his players to deliver and earn their ‘rightful places’ in the national team.
Former India player Harendra is all set to take over as the coach of the India women’s senior team for the first time in his career.
“The last few days have been incredible to say the least. The dust has settled and it’s time to move on,” Harendra wrote on his Facebook page, referring to the latest developments in Indian hockey.
Women’s national hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne was Friday named chief coach of the Indian men’s team – a stunning decision given that the Dutchman has no prior experience of handling a senior men’s side. Harendra who had aspired for the same post was named high performance specialist coach of the senior women’s team.
“Taking full responsibility for the Indian women’s team is an honour. I thank all those who have placed me in this position. With my staff, I now look forward to working with this talented group of players,” Harendra stated.
“We will concentrate on providing the team with the best possible environment and opportunities, in return we expect our players to deliver and take their rightful spot at the top,” he added.
Harendra represented India from 1985 to 1991, playing 43 games, before calling it quits at just 26. He was the coach of the Indian colts who won the Junior World Cup hockey title in December last year.
“My sole objective is to share with the women’s team what I already experienced with the junior men’s team. I know we can walk that road again. But then again, this is not a repeat but a new journey!,” said the new coach. “I will leave no stone unturned to take the women’s team to the very top.”
Harendra had coached the senior men’s hockey team from 2009 to 2011. He had resigned after the team performed poorly during the Azlan Shah Cup in 2011, where they finished sixth.
Harendra also thanked the new sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Sports Authority of India and Hockey India for giving him the responsibility.
press trust of india
