Azlan backlash: Coach Harendra’s future under cloud

By Mihir Vasavda | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

The future of Harendra Singh as the coach of Indian hockey team hangs in balance, with the development committee of Hockey India (HI) deciding to seek his and the rest of coaching staff’s removal following India’s dismal outing at the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

The development committee, led by Olympian Pargat Singh, is authorised by HI to take decisions regarding the matters related to coaches. It is reliably learnt that the committee will be officially asking HI to remove Harendra and look for a foreign coach to take over. Two-time defending champions India finished sixth among seven teams at the Azlan Shah Cup, winning only two matches while losing three and drawing one.

It may be recalled that the committee had not recommended Harendra’s name for coach’s job, saying that need of the hour was to have a foreigner rich with international experience. However, the government insisted that the same coaching staff as in the CWG and Asian Games, excluding then coach Jose Brasa continued.

HI has said they will reviewing the performance on May 31 in Pargat, Harendra and captain’s Arjun Halappa’s presence. The body’s secretary-general Narendra Batra said the team’s performance was far from the mark, something which has surprised them. “We will take the necessary action after thoroughly analysing the performance. If there is a need to change anything, we will not hesitate in doing so,” Batra told DNA.

Meanwhile, reports said sports minister Ajay Maken also expressed concern over the team’s performance. “It is a matter of concern for all of us the way Indian hockey team has performed at the Azlan Shah Cup tournament. We have two most important tournaments coming up —the Champions Trophy and the Olympic qualifiers. And unless we qualify for the Olympics, our dream run to the Olympics would be over as far as the hockey is concerned,” said Maken.

A development committee official said that they have unofficially discussed team’s performance, which has been found wanting in many areas. “After the loss to Pakistan, the team never looked composed. It looked like the coach did not manage to motivate the players, which is one of his key responsibilities,” said the official.

Government observer and former international Dilip Tirkey agreed. “I do feel the coach should have done more to motivate the players. Our performance till that (Pakistan) match was okay. After that defeat, we lost to New Zealand and South Korea in two very important matches. These are the sides we have done well against in the past,” said Tirkey, India’s highest capped player.

“Though it was an inexperienced side, we expected a top-three finish. So it is very disappointing,” he added, refusing to speculate on Harendra’s future.

Analysing India’s performance, Tirkey said the team needs to strike balance between defence and attack. “What we need to work on is to run back to defend after completing an attacking move. Our defence is very poor, and we need to address that soon,” he said.