Hockey India shuffles Sjoerd Marijne and names Harendra Singh as the head coach of Indian men’s hockey team. Harendra was the head coach of women’s team, but now the responsibility is again back with Sjoerd Marijne.
Dutchman Marijne, who was handed the reigns of the men’s team in November last year was removed from the post following a medal less Commonwealth Games with men’s team. India has always returned with a medal since 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Some senior players have criticized the team selection policy of Marijne, who picked less experienced players over veterans like Ramandeep and Sardar Singh in a big tournament like Commonwealth Games.
“Harendra Singh brings with himself a 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,” Hockey India Secretary General Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed said in a statement.
“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.
The decision comes after a review of team’s performance at Gold Coast CWG.
Harendra has earlier coached the national team from 2009 to 2011, and was in-charge of the women’s team since November last year after Marijne was named as the men’s coach, replacing the sacked Roelant Oltmans.
Singh coached Indian Men’s Junior team which won Junior World Cup 2016 at Lucknow after a long wait of 17 years. His stint with women’s team included winning Women’s Asia Cup, a series win at the Korean tour and fourth position finish at the recently concluded CWG, which included a victory against Olympic champions England.
Marjine’s first assignment with the women’s side will be the fifth Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Korea starting May 13.
“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 World Cup 2018,” said Marijne.
Harendra’s first assignment with the men’s team will be the final edition of the Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands, this June.
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 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.”
