Chennai,

IT might be the most tempestuous of times for Indian hockey. Battered and bruised, it is in dire need of a direction. Newly-appointed Indian ‘coach-in-charge’ Harender Singh’s days at helm will be numbered even before he assumes the office. The sooner the ad-hoc committee stumbles upon a foreign coach, the earlier he will be confined to the second fiddle’s garb. But irrespective of the roles, Harender is upbeat of carving a quality side.

For someone who has been in the coaching circuit for more than a decade, Harender has established a creditable rapport with most players. “Having been in the domestic circuit for close to 10 years, I have been watching most players right from the junior circuit. I know most players inside out, their strengths and their weaknesses. That half the Indian side comprise Air India players makes it easier. But I can assure you that there won’t be any sort of favouritism to players from my club,” he said.

Though he is aware that the challenge he confronts is mountainous, Harender reckons that India can develop into a quality side in the near future. “We definitely have the talent. But we have to channelise and utilise it in a systematic manner. A lot of effort and time ought to be spent on it. While it is not possible to be world-beaters overnight, we should work steadily and realistically in achieving our goals. If we start planning and working from now, there is no reason why we shouldn’t reach the World Cup semifinal,” he said.

One of the four coaches sent to the Beijing Olympics to observe the top nations, Harender opines that India is as skilful as the best sides in the world. “Unfortunately, skill alone won’t win matches. We have to improve in terms of stamina, fitness, planning and coordination. We are quite a few notches behind them in these aspects,” pointed out Harender.

On the sidelines, accusations are rife that he secured the job only due to his personal bond with the ad-hoc committee selectors, especially Dhanraj Pillay . His detractors were quick to point out his dismal stints as the assistant coach with the senior side in the 2000 Sydney Olympics (finished seventh), the 2006 World Cup (finished 11th) and the Asian Games (finished fifth). Under him, the Indian colts, as defending champions, finished only fourth in the Junior World Cup in Rotterdam.