Indian men's hockey to get foreign coach

New Delhi: In a sudden change of policy, the Indian Olympic Association-appointed ad-hoc committee for Indian hockey on Friday decided to rope in a foreign coach for the senior men's team and have named Harender Singh as the coach-in-charge till they find a suitable candidate.

The ad-hoc committee also formed a seven-member technical and monitoring committee as well as a 15-member advisory committee for the smooth running of the game.

Apart from the two committees, they have also appointed an Advisor (Communications), Umpires Development Manager and Director (Administration).

"Ever since the ad-hoc committee came into picture, we are trying to set things right. We have now taken a decision to go for a foreign coach and have named Harender as the coach-in-charge," ad-hoc committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said in New Delhi on Friday.

He said that the committee has already initiated the process and has discussed the matter with International Hockey Federation (FIH).

"The FIH will soon be sending us three names after which the selection committee will study their credentials."

He also informed that FIH Coach Development Committee chief, Tayyab Ikram would soon be visiting India to discuss the names with the ad-hoc committee.

According to sources within the selection committee, Harinder will hand over the reins of the team to the foreign coach once he is appointed, and will continue his services with the side in some other capacity.

"A foreign coach is a foreign coach and he can never be a national coach. We are also on the look out for a national coach," ad-hoc selection committee chairman Ajit Pal Singh said.

Asked who would be the chief coach and about their specific roles with the team, Ajit Pal said "both will be the coach and their job will be to coach the team. Both will be responsible for the team. We still haven't decided who will be the chief coach. We want a suitable candidate for that position."

The ad-hoc selection committee chairman also said that they are are looking for a foreign coach for some time now.

"Foreign coach for the men's team was always there in our mind and we are looking for somebody who is really committed."

Asked what prompted them to name Harender as the coach-in-charge after MK Kaushik's sudden decision to stay on with the women's team, Ajit Pal said, "Kaushik was the best candidate and before naming him we consulted him. But after that, he decided to stay on with the women's team, Harender was the best possible choice on credentials and on seniority."

"Harender was already there in the coach's list along with Kaushik, Ramandeep Singh and Romeo James."

The five-men selection committee, comprising Ajit Pal, Ashok Kumar, Zafar Iqbal, Aslam Sher Khan and Dhanraj Pillay, made no changes in the coach's panel for the junior side.

AK Bansal continued to be the chief coach of the juniors and he will be assisted by Clarence Lobo and Rajesh Chauhan.