5 reasons why Harendra Singh as the men's coach is a golden opportunity for Indian hockey
In a major decision after the unimpressive show at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Hockey India has now appointed the women's team's former coach, Harendra Singh, as the men's team coach, while the current coach, Sjoerd Marijne, has been once again given the charge of the women's team.
Hailing from Chhapra, Bihar, Singh is a legendary coach who has time and again proven his credentials with historic wins.
He had served for a few months as the chief coach in 2009, leading India to a historic Sultan Azlan Shah Cup win, before Spanish legend Jose Brasa took over.
From the Junior Hockey World Cup 2016 to Women's Asia Cup 2017 Harendra has achieved everything as the coach of the Indian team.
Here are five solid reasons why Harendra is the best thing to have happened to Indian hockey in years:
#5 A strict, no-nonsense guy
Maverick, stubborn, iconoclast: These are a few words that sum up the character of Harendra Singh as a field hockey coach. Never one to play by the rule-book, he is known for his straightforward, no-nonsense attitude.
To quote him, "This is where it gets tough. I am not easy to crack. I spare nobody. It's my way or the highway. But my way also means players will never regret their decisions to join me. My ideology on the pitch is just one: discipline.
...I tell players to their face if they're not good...I want my players to come on time, train hard and eat right. I won't make them run hills, but I want to see them run till 110 meters in a 100-meter race, rather than stop at the finishing line."