Harendra Singh to be appointed new Indian women's hockey team coach: Report

Singh is the current US men’s hockey team coach.

Harendra Singh, the current US men’s hockey team coach is the favourite to become the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. Following Janneke Schopman’s departure in February, the women’s hockey team is without a head coach.

Speculation is growing that Harendra Singh, following his recent interview with the governing body, may return as the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, a position he previously held on an interim basis

Singh, who first played in 1995, coached the Indian women’s hockey team to a gold medal at the 2017 Asia Cup. This experience gives him an extra edge.

“Yes, Harendra is in line to replace Janneke. Hockey India is keen to appoint him. He knows the structure of Indian hockey having coached both the men’s and women’s teams in the past. He is the best person to take the women’s side to where it belongs,” a source in the national federation told PTI.

“Moreover, it is in his best interest also having been out of the country for the past couple of years. The only issue which remains is negotiation of salary because he is drawing a handsome amount in the US and it remains to be seen whether it can be matched.”

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Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India confirmed the news but stated that the selection process is ongoing.

“Yes, Harendra has appeared for the interview, but nothing has been decided from our side yet. There are 11-12 candidates and we will decide taking into account every aspect,” Bhola Nath told PTI without elaborating further.

According to the Sports Ministry rules, Rs 3 lakh per month is the cap for Indian coaches, but it has been learnt that Singh is demanding more as per his current package with the US team.

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