Hockey India announces Harendra Singh as Chief Coach of Indian Men's Hockey Team

Hockey India on Tuesday announced Harendra Singh as the Chief Coach for the Indian Men's Hockey Team, as he takes over from

44-year-old Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, who returns back to his job as the Chief Coach of Indian Women's Hockey Team.

Harendra Singh, who led the Indian Junior Men's Hockey team to the Uttar Pradesh Hockey Junior World Cup Lucknow 2016 title, was appointed as the Chief Coach of the Indian Women's Hockey team in September 2017 and saw his team finish at the fourth position at the recently concluded Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games. His most important contribution was leading the Women's team to the 9th Women's Asia Cup title in Japan last year.

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. Before joining the Indian Women’s team, Marijne had a successful tenure with the Netherlands' Women’s team. His first event with the Indian Women's team will be the 5th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Korea starting on May 13, 2018.

“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,” said Mohd Mushtaque Ahmed, Secretary General, Hockey India.

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.”