CHENNAI: In a surprising development, Indian women’s senior team coach Harendra Singh rendered his resignation on Monday with immediate effect. Harendra, under whom the team trained even over the weekend, has cited personal reasons for his sudden departure, in the middle of a national camp at the SAI, South Centre in Bengaluru. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!While Harendra remained incommunicado, in a statement released by Hockey India (HI), the Dhronacharya awardee stated, “ Coaching the Indian women’s hockey team has been a privilege that has been a highlight of my career. Though personal reasons call me to step away, my heart remains with this extraordinary team and their ongoing success. I will always cherish my journey with Hockey India and continue to support their efforts to take Indian hockey to the highest levels of achievement.”Harendra, who has been a part of the Indian coaching system since 1997, had earlier coached the women’s national team during the 2017-18 period. He returned after coaching the USA men’s team to take over the reins here in April last year. Under him, India lifted the Asian Champions Trophy last year, but the highs were overshadowed by a string of disappointments. The team was relegated from the Pro League after managing just two wins and three draws in 16 matches, and their loss in the Asia Cup final cost them a direct berth to next year’s World Cup.
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His abrupt exit, however, comes amid simmering tensions within the camp and claims that he did not inform the team about his decision before it was made public.Multiple sources confirmed to TOI that a section of players had flagged concerns to officials from SAI’s TOPS scheme and had recently written to both HI and the sports ministry. Their complaints centred around allegedly gruelling training schedules that, they claimed, had resulted in injuries to nearly a dozen players—many of whom are now in rehabilitation, lengthy team meetings and favoritism.Adding fuel to the players’ claims was Hockey India’s top brass suddenly descending in Bengaluru from Chennai, where they were overseeing the FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup. TOI has learnt that HI president, Dilip Tirkey and Bhola Nath Singh met the players on Monday and there was a split opinion about Harendra among them, adding meat to the theory that groupism and infights are affecting the team.Harendra’s exit puts a huge question mark on the future of the Indian team, which has failed to raise its game after the fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. MARIJNE IN CONTENTIONAccording to HI sources, the hunt for a new coach has begun and is likely to be finalised by the end of the month. The frontrunner for the post is former chief coach Sjoerd Marijne, who stepped down after the Tokyo Games in 2021 and later released a controversial book on Indian hockey.Until a new coach is appointed, the team’s analytical coach Dave Smolenaars is expected to be in charge. The camp ends on Dec 7 and after a short break, the players will head for the Hockey India League.Tirkey, acknowledging Harendra’s contributions, said, “We thank Harendra Singh for his services and his exemplary experience. His commitment towards the development of Indian hockey is well-known across the hockey community. We will announce a suitable replacement soon.”
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