By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Sept 4
NOT for nothing Harendra Singh is rated as the best available hockey coach in India at the moment. With over a decade of experience, matured coaching style and a no-nonsense attitude, Harendra Singh ticks all the boxes needed to be incharge of Indian men’s hockey team.
The post is vacant after Hockey India slammed the doors on Dutchman Roelant Oltmans. David John, Director High Performance has been made interim coach of the senior team.
Within hours of Oltmans’ sacking, social media was abuzz with support to Harendra Singh, the 2016 Men’s Junior World Cup winning coach. Having a coaching experience of 379 matches, Harendra Singh has the wherewithal to take the Indian team to a much better ranking in the world.
Most of the current and former India players, who had played under Harendra, think he is the best man at present for the top job. It is Hockey India and Sports Authority of India’s prerogative to pick the coach, but the backing Harendra is receiving should make him a strong candidate.
“Without an iota of doubt Harendra paaji is the best at the moment. I have played a lot of hockey under him. I love the way he dedicates himself for the game,” a current India player told ‘The Hitavada’.
“Harendra would be a good choice. His commitment level is 100 per cent on and off the field. He is a taskmaster on the field and doubles up as a friend, philosopher off the field,” the player added.
Those who have spent their formative years with Harendra talk about his belief in them. “He instills belief in us. He trusts players and their abilities,” another young player asserted.
Olympian Tushar Khandker, who was also assistant coach of the Indian team at Rio Olympics, felt that Harendra would be a good choice for chief coach’s job.
“At present, Harendra is the best coach in the Indian set up, that’s what I feel. However, it is upto Hockey India and SAI to take a decision,” said Khandker,
who played under Harendra for several years.
No comments:
Post a Comment