Floris Evers picks out Manpreet and Mandeep Singh as bright prospects for India

Floris Evers

Floris Evers, 2-time Olympic medalist with the Netherlands and manager of their junior team at the ongoing Junior Hockey World Cup is of the opinion that the appointment of Terry Walsh as the coach of the Indian team was a step in the right direction.

Evers told IANS that Walsh should be given a longer run at the helm, having played under Walsh, in the silver medal winning Dutch team at the 2004 Athens Games.

“India have a good coach now. Terry was with me in Athens and is one of the best coaches who had trained me and I think he is the perfect guy for India. He is not only a good coach but a good human too. I think India will do well under him but he needs to be given his time,” Evers told IANS on the sidelines of the ongoing Hockey Junior World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here.

Evers is also familiar with some of the young Indian players in the junior squad having played with them or against them during his Ranchi Rhinos stint in the Hockey India League last year.  And looking at the potential, he said that India are improving step by step.

“I really hope India comes back to the top because I love the country and its passion for hockey. They are coming through step by step. It is a mental thing too. If they lose a game, there is pressure from all others and the players feel it. In their minds they don’t know how good they are,” said the 30-year-old Dutch star.

He also feels that the experienced within the junior Indian team makes them strong contenders for the junior World Cup.

“India can win the tournament. They have good players and are good at penalty corners. Being the hosts there is pressure on them. But they are also an experienced side,” said Evers.

He picked out his team mates at the Ranchi Rhinos, Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, as ones to look out for.

“I know Manpreet Singh very well. Mandeep Singh and Kothajit Khadangbam are also good prospects for India. They are quite technical,” added Evers.