In a surprise move, women's hockey coach Harendra Singh was today named chief coach of the Indian men's team while incumbent men's in-charge Sjoerd Marijne was sent back to the women's camp -- a fallout of the poor show by Manpreet Singh and Co. in the Commonwealth Games.
Harendra, who coached the Indian men's team earlier from 2009 to 2011, 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. Under him, the women’s team finished fourth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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.Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed, Secretary General, Hockey India
Sjoerd Marijne, on the other hand, had formed a formidable unit with the Indian women’s hockey team during his first stint. Under the Dutchman, the women’s team had an impressive run qualifying for the Hockey World League semi-final.
His first event with the Indian women's team will be the 5th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Korea starting on 13 May 2018.
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 Vitality 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 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.”
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