BENGALURU: Foreign coaches have been Indian hockey’s go-to professionals ever since Germany’s Gerhard Rach took over the team bound for the Athens Olympics in 2004. For nearly two decades now, the men’s team has seen as many as 10 foreign coaches. A change, perhaps, would be welcome if Dilip Tirkey’s views are anything to go by.
The Hockey India president feels Indian coaches need to be systematically initiated into the hockey setup. Over the past few months, many former stars like Sardar Singh, Rani Rampal, Rupinderpal Singh and Adrian D’Souza have been roped in to mould age-group players. Not just coaching, even the selection system has changed with fresh blood being infused.
Speaking to TOI on the road map, Tirkey, a former India skipper, pointed out, “Hockey India has a long-term vision of roping in good players, who have played and understand modern hockey to come into the professional sphere in various capacities like coaching and selection. Who better than players like Sardar and Rani to teach modern hockey at the grassroots level? In the perspective of women’s hockey, girls will be inspired by Rani. In the long run we want more Indian coaches.”
Tirkey revealed that the federation has opened its doors to former players to take up various roles. “We want the players to be involved with hockey in varied roles and capacities. They are most welcome to work towards the betterment of the sport.”
But the former defender is clear that irrespective of their past laurels, the players must start at the grassroots level.
“We want a process to be put in place. If you look at other structures like the one in European countries, some of the finest players start off as assistant coaches in club hockey. For a high-level coach, you need a foundation of coaching courses coupled with coaching at the grassroots level. We want to bring in that culture in both men and women’s hockey,” he explained.
SELECTORS’ ROLE
While Sardar has been a senior selector for the past couple of years along with former defender VR Raghunath and Subhadra Pradhan, Chinglensana Kangujam, Sameer Dad, Yuvraj Walmiki, Joydeep Kaur and Asunta Lakra— all former internationals— are now part of the selection panels. This apart the likes of former strike ace SV Sunil are with the zonal selection committees.
Tirkey believes their understanding of the sport and players makes recently retired players good candidates for the role.
“In terms of selection, who better than the internationals to understand the requirements and recognise talent. The talent programs like the zonal, grassroots U-17 and U-19 camps will ensure more talent is tapped young. We haven’t had a core group in the U-17 and U-19 level before and we want to develop that. For this to happen, it is important that former players turn to responsible stakeholders,” he opined.
Foreign vs Indian chief coaches (since 2003)
FOREIGN
Gerhard Rach
Jose Brasa
Michael Nobbs
Gregg Clark
Terry Walsh
Paul Van Ass
Roeland Oltmans
Sjoerd Marijne
Graham Reid
Craig Fulton
INDIAN
Rajinder Singh Sr
Rajinder Singh Jr.
V Baskaran
Joaquim Carvalho
Harendra Singh
