Hockey Update: Harendra ready to be solitary coach of Indian hockey team
The ongoing dilemma in the Indian hockey is getting worse with every passing day; one that began with a resignation of national coach Harendra Singh after the Indian hockey team received a stunning defeat from Malaysia in the semi-final of the 16th
Asian Games held last month in China.
After failing to qualify for the final, the Indian team was ousted from the automatic qualification race for 2012 London Olympics.
Presently Indian hockey squad is without a coach, as national coach Harendra Singh tendered his resignation after the defeat while the contract of Spanish-born Indian hockey team coach Jose Brasa is unlikely to be renewed after a blistering conflict between
Indian skipper Rajpal Singh and Jose Barasa.
The Indian hockey team in the supervision of Spaniard Jose Brasa had played 45 international matches in the World Cup, the FIH Champions Challenge, the Azlan Shah Cup, Test Series and in the two Europe Trips. Out of 45, India only won 19 matches and lost
17, while nine games were drew.
Harendra Singh, the former national coach showed interest in the coaching of Indian hockey for another term however denied to work under any foreign boss. Harendra stated that the need of the hour is to import a hockey expert as a technical director rather
coach of the national team.
Harendra Singh has worked many years with the Indian hockey team as a national coach and he knew all the teams’ issues and problems. He claimed that he could alone handle the squad but if he will be the only authority of the team.
Harendra Singh said, “I am ready to reconsider my decision but this time I am not willing to work under anybody. I want full control as well as full responsibility. If someone wants to blame anybody for team's performance, it should be me.”
The former national coach was of the view that after many years of experience of coaching, he himself could look after team and prepare a best squad for upcoming events.
The race for the future coach of the Indian hockey team started after the proposals of Jude Felix, the experienced trainer and former captain of the Indian team and German origin Bangladeshi coach Gerhard Rach were submitted. Harendra stated that he was
not against the idea of a foreign coach.
Commenting on the capabilities of the coach, Harendra Singh was of the view that the coach should not be like Greg Chappell, who always criticised the team. He rejected the impressions of not having cordial relations with Chief Coach, Jose Brasa saying that
he had genial relations with him.
Harendra while explaining the reasons of his resignation said that he left the post after disappointing finish of the Indian hockey team in the recently concluded Asiad. He further said that he had not any conflict with Jose Brasa, adding he had learned
many things from the Spaniard.
On the other hand, former Olympians also rebuffed the idea for hiring any foreign coach saying that National Coach, Harendra Singh should be handed over the responsibilities of the team.
BP Govinda and Col. Balbir Singh in their capacity as National Selectors, while Zafar Iqbal and Ajitbal Singh as government observers recommended the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Hockey India (HI) and Ministry of Sports not to renew the contract to Jose
Brasa and hand over all responsibilities of the hockey team to Harendra Singh in the best interests of the Indian hockey.
Now the ball is in court of the sports authorities, whether they selected Harendra Singh or renew the contract of Jose Brasa for another term. But they would have to take a decision at earliest for betterment of the sport.
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