Harendra Singh is the frontrunner to replace Janneke Schopman as coach of the Indian women’s hockey team after he recently appeared for an interview, with the national body suggesting he is the best person to lift the side after the country failed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris. Harendra has held the same position in the past before being appointed coach of the United States men’s team in 2021. “Yes, Harendra is in line to replace Janneke. Hockey India would like 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 bring the women’s side where they belong,” a source in the national federation told PTI.
‘Moreover, it is also in his interest that he has been out of the country for the past few years. The only problem that remains is salary negotiations, as he is raking in a nice amount of money in the US and it remains to be seen if that will be the case. can be coordinated.” Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that Harendra appeared for the interview but said his appointment has not yet been confirmed as there are other candidates as well.
“Yes, Harendra has appeared for the interview but nothing has been decided from our side yet. There are 11 to 12 candidates and we will decide taking into account every aspect,” Bhola Nath told PTI without elaborating further.
As per Sports Ministry rules, Rs 3 lakh per month is the limit for Indian coaches but it is learned that Harendra is demanding more as per his current package with the US team.
If appointed, Harendra will replace Schopman, who last month quit complaining about the difficult working environment for foreign coaches in India after the women’s team failed to qualify for the Paris Games.
Harendra has worn many hats in Indian hockey in the past. He was appointed head coach of the Indian junior team in 2014 and under his leadership the team won the Men’s Junior World Cup in Lucknow in 2016.
Following his success at the junior level, he was appointed head coach of the senior women’s national team in September 2017. The team went on to win the gold medal at the 2017 Asia Cup.
In May 2018, Harendra replaced Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne as coach of the senior men’s team, with the former taking over the women’s team.
However, Harendra was shown the door in January 2019 after a series of poor performances in the men’s competition.
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