Hockey India names Harendra Singh as men’s coach, replacing Sjoerd Marijne

Harendra Singh has been named as the chief coach of the Indian men’s hockey team while Sjoerd Marijne go back as chief coach of Indian women’s hockey team

other sports Updated: May 01, 2018 14:44 IST

Harendra Singh, who led the Indian junior men’s hockey team to the World Cup title in 2016, was appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s team in September last year. He will now take over as the men’s chief coach.(Hockey India)

Hockey India (HI) announced Harendra Singh as the chief coach for the Indian men’s hockey team, taking over from Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, who returns to his job as the chief coach of the women’s national side -- a bizarre swap to say the least.

Harendra Singh, who led the Indian junior men’s hockey team to the World Cup title in 2016, was appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s team in September last year, and led the women’s team to the Asia Cup title in Japan last year. However, the team didn’t have a good outing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast last month, finishing fourth.

Sjoerd Marijne, who was in charge of the women’s side till last August,was made the coach of the men, with whom he had a forgettable stint. Indian men, favourites for a medal, finished outside the podium in Gold Coast, and it is evident that the loss has triggered this knee-jerk reaction and swap from Hockey India.

HI had their own logic behind the move.

“Harendra Singh brings with himself wealth of experience and has previously managed a lot of the men’s team players during his stints in the Hockey India League and with the junior national teams,” said Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed, secretary general of Hockey India.

“While, Marijne’s first stint with the Women’s team was a very successful one and we are sure he will continue to do well with this team as he has done in the past,” he added.

Both Sjoerd Marine and Harendra Singh expressed their satisfaction on the new roles assigned to them.

“I’m excited to reunite with the women’s team and will look to focus building on the good form exhibited by the team in last six months as we look forward to the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018,” said Marijne.

Harendra said, “It is an honour for me to now manage the Indian men’s hockey team. It has been a very satisfying journey with the Indian women’s team and I would like to thank Hockey India for entrusting me with the new role as we prepare ourselves for a very important season ahead.”