FIH is surviving because of India: Harendra Singh

By Paritosh Pramanik

EIGHT-TIME Olympic gold medalist India might be going through the worst phase with last-place finish in London Olympics but the fact is the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is surviving only because of India. India has money power and that is why FIH is allotting so many tournaments to India, stated former India hockey coach Harendra Singh.
Harendra made a pit stop in the city on Friday morning on way to Betul for the felicitation and get-together of 1975 Hockey World Cup winning team.
“FIH is surviving only because of India. It is earning handsomely in India by allotting major international events,” Harendra said while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
India will be hosting Junior World Cup and World League final by end of this year.
The former coach said India should take advantage of FIH’s inclination towards India and develop game in the country. “The international body is minting money in our country. We should take advantage of it and develop infrastructure and set up a Research and Development Department with its help. FIH knows it cannot survive without India’s support. We should mark pockets at different parts of the country and set up high performance centres with top class facilities.”
Despite India’s ouster from the final race at the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Malaysia Harendra felt the youngsters would be a force to reckon with in the Junior World Cup.
“I am very happy with the juniors playing in Malaysia. If we keep the results aside, the players have performed exceedingly well so far in the tournament. Hockey India’s move to send a second string team will help us in longer run. We will be hosting Junior World Cup by the end of this year and this set of players will make the team. So, playing together for almost a year will only help India in the World Cup,” Harendra said.
“India’s investment will also help us in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The seniors won’t be around then and these junior players would be part of the Indian team.
“In 2010 World Cup, the average age of German team was 24 years. They won the title and last year emerged as Olympics champions,” Harendra said.
Asked about foreign coach Harendra cited examples of winners of World Series Hockey and Hockey India League. “If you remember, WSH and HIL were won by teams coached by Indians. So I think there is enough potential in an Indian to coach the national team.”
However, he advocated the need of a coach for coaches at grassroots level.
Harendra said India have a bright chance to qualify for the World Cup. India would be playing the Hockey World League III in Holland who will also host the World Cup next year.
“India have a bright chance of qualifying for World Cup in Holland. Three spots would be up for grab in the third phase. India will have to reach semis to make it to the World Cup. It would have been tougher had we got pitted with Malaysia. They are very tough in their own backyard,” he explained.