Times of India: My players will showcase their best hockey: coach Harendra
By Saumojyoti S Choudhury
Lucknow, Dec 7 () Hosts India are rated as strong title contenders in the Junior Hockey World Cup starting here tomorrow, but the team’s head coach Harendra Singh is no mood to think so far ahead and has only guaranteed that his 18-member squad will showcase their best hockey.
Harendra said his side were focused on taking the first step correctly, to come out on top of Canada tomorrow in the tournament opener.
“I have told the boys a very important mantra that a mountaineer never aims at the summit, he or she only concentrates on every single step. If he keeps on looking at the summit from the word go he will never succeed in climbing it,” he said on the eve of India’s opening match.
“We are approaching one match at a time. But I can guarantee all that I won’t let anyone leave the tournament disappointed. I can guarantee you one thing that these 18 boys will show their best hockey to you and the world,” said Harendra who took over the reigns of the Indian colts in 2014.
The coach warned his wards against doing “special” things in any match and asked them to concentrate on implementing their game plan.
“From my experience I have learnt that we try to do many special things against all teams. But this is not possible in modern hockey. You just need to do your own things. We must ensure that whatever we have learnt in the training should be implemented in match situations. If we try new things it won’t work,” said Harendra.
“I have told the boys to keep in mind just whatever we have learnt in the last 2 years and 8 and focus on that.
“Second thing I told them is that they should always remember why they started hockey, then only they can play normal hockey,” he added.
Regarded as a hard task master, Harendra said for him what’s important was discipline and professionalism.
He said before stepping onto the turf, every player should remember about the tricolour and their reasons behind picking up hockey sticks.
“What I believe is that Harendra Singh is a tough nut to crack. Whatever I am today is because of two things, one is discipline and professionalism. For me the tricolour is the tallest and most important and you have to play for that. Keeping that in mind I only can show you the right path.
“My simple logic is either it is my way or take the highway. But I can proudly say that the boys have realised the thing and the results in the last two years only proves that point,” he said. More SSC PDS PDS