"What would be a better start than winning a medal in 2028" - Indian women's hockey team chief Harendra Singh eyes Los Angeles Olympics medal
While the Indian men's hockey team lifted a successive bronze medal at the Olympic Games, the women's team failed to qualify for the quadrennial event. Notably, in the Tokyo Olympics, the women's team finished fourth, just missing a podium finish.
Head coach of the women's hockey team Harendra Singh, who was appointed in April 2024, now wants his team to forget the past and make the 2028 Olympics their bulls eye by laying a proper foundation. In an interview with PTI Bhasha (via Sportstar) he said:
“When I took up this team, we had discussed this topic in length. I always look into the positive side and feel that something better is there in store for them. Obviously they were disheartened, the whole country was sad but I told them that there is something bigger waiting."
This is not the first time Singh will be guiding the women's team. Back in 2017-18, it was him who acted mentor to the side. Speaking of laying down a proper foundation, he stated:
"India won the first Olympic medal in hockey in Los Angeles in 1928 when the legend Dhyan Chand ji was the part of the team and what would be a better start than winning a medal in 2028 at the same place exactly after 100 years."
He added:
“Whatever good has been done in the last four years, I would not like to change that. Then we will take it one by one and [address] what went wrong. We started from there and I told them that I am not expecting great results in the Pro League. We have to make a foundation for LA 2028."
(Note: The 1928 Olympics wasn't held in Los Angeles, as mentioned by Harendra Singh. Amsterdam hosted the Games in 1928 while Los Angeles got the honor four years later in 1932.)
Harendra Singh sheds light on fitness and philosophy
As per Harendra Singh, a former Dronacharya Award winner, the Indian women's hockey team needs to incorporate better fitness standards in order to take on better teams in top-notch tournaments. In this regard, he told the aforementioned agency:
“This team is lacking in the fitness standard which is needed for modern-day hockey. It includes speed, endurance, agility and decision-making ability. They have technical skills and if they fulfil the fitness parameters that will give them an edge in big tournaments."
The head coach also wants his team to make themselves familiar with science, skill and technology. The Indian women's hockey team currently plays in the European style and as per Singh, there needs to be one model and one coaching philosophy from the grassroot level to the senior team. Only then a change in fortunes will be evident.