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Harendra set for new challenge

Last Updated 26 September 2017, 18:16 IST

Earlier this month, when talks of replacing the then head coach of the Indian hockey team Roelant Oltmans emerged, his was the first named to be thrown into the ring. And why not, after guiding the junior side to the World Cup triumph last year Harendra Singh was seen as the prime candidate to guide the senior side.

However, these talks were soon put to rest after Hockey India asked the head coach of the women’s team Sjoerd Marijne to take over men’s team while Harendra was handed the responsibility of the women’s side. Though this decision didn’t go down well with many, Harendra was not one bit surprised. “I was anything but surprised,” he replied, speaking for the first time after taking over the women’s team.

“I was prepared. Around the world, women’s team is as important as the men’s team. It’s just in India that perception is different. I think it’s time we changed the way we look at our women’s side.”

Over the years, the women’s team has shown glimpses of their quality, but it’s their lack of belief to succeed that has let them down. And Hockey India believes that Harendra is the right man to change that.

“Four years ago when he took over the junior boys, he never wavered from his position. From the first day he believed that the side could win the World Cup and he stuck to that,” high performance director David John said explaining the reason behind the decision.

“Mentally he prepared the boys to win the World Cup and the boys believed in him. What I find with the girls is that they have the skills and the fitness, but they don’t have the belief that they can win. And we are sure that Harendra will change that.”

While Harendra agreed that he will have to instill the belief in his side, according to him the problem was much more than that. “I think, I can’t pick out on area where the team is lacking. It’s a holistic change that I am looking at,” he said.

“We can agree that our performance at the Johannesburg event (World League Semifinal) was not satisfactory. We need to improve in every department. For me the target is the same, we will be looking for a podium in every competition we play,” he explained.

DH News Service

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(Published 26 September 2017, 18:16 IST)

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