The Commonwealth Games debacle saw another change in Indian Hockey team. Sjoerd Marijne who was raised to the post of the chief coach of Men’s Hockey team after the unceremonious exit of Roelant Oltmans, was brought back to his former post in the Women’ss Hockey team. The duty was shuffled as Harendra Singh, the chief coach of Women’s Hockey team from September 2017 replaced Marijne.
Harendra, who led the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey team to the Junior World Cup title in 2016, helped the Women’s team finish at the fourth position at the recently concluded 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. He was also instrumental in leading the Women’s team to the 9th Women’s Asia Cup title in Japan in 2017.
After his appointment as the chief coach, Harendra Singh 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 Hockey 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.”
With the appointment of Harendra Singh, Hockey India has shown faith on the Indian coaching system after a long stint with Oltmans and Marijne. “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 teams. 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,” said Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed, Secretary General, Hockey India.
Marijne, showing his respect to the decision of Hockey India commented, “”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 Vitality Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018.”
