The Indian team for the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup is yet to be announced but the job of coaching has been handed to stalwart and veteran trainer Balwan Singh, who is also the coach of Pro Kabaddi League outfit Jaipur Pink Panthers. Balwan Singh is one of the best coaches in the history of Indian sport and will be overseeing proceedings at the kabaddi extravaganza, which is scheduled to begin in October next month.
Trending
Balwan Singh ranks among the most decorated kabaddi players and coaches in the game’s history, especially from the Indian perspective. He has won several accolades as both player and coach, which makes him the perfect man for the job. He is also the coach of Pro Kabaddi League outfit Jaipur Pink Panthers, which has won the tournament once and reached the final in the latest edition.
There are several factors that make Balwan Singh the ideal choice for coach of the Indian team at the upcoming Kabaddi World Cup. In the first place, Singh has previously led India to glory at big tournaments including the 2014 Asian Games, where his team won the gold medal. Achievement and longevity are his main strengths and Singh’s experience at the international level will benefit India’s chances.
Secondly, India is a team featuring a wide range of kabaddi stars, who are extremely talented, skillful and have achieved a lot in their careers already. Managing big names like Anup Kumar, Rahul Chaudhari, Mohit Chillar and Rohit Kumar among others is not going to be an easy job but if there is anyone who can do this, it will be Balwan Singh. Right from picking the correct starting 7 to making the subsitutions, taking the right decisions will be critical and one can expect Balwan Singh to deliver.
Last, but by no means the least, Balwan Singh’s tactical acumen will play a crucial role, especially against unknown oppositions, which could surprise India. Singh handled a comparitively weaker Jaipur Pink Panthers squad during Pro Kabaddi Season 4 and led them to the final. He also brought out the best in youngsters like Ajay Kumar and Amit Hooda while beautifully channelising the abilities of experienced players like Jasvir Singh and Rajesh Narwal.
The squad for the Indian team has not been announced yet and the selectors will have a tough job in deciding the final 14, who will play in Ahmedabad next month. A camp is being conducted at the moment in Gujarat, following which the final squad is going to be announced.
