Breaking News: Harendra Singh Resigns as Chief Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team – What This Means for the Future

New Delhi: Harendra Singh has stepped down as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, effective immediately. He cited “personal reasons” for his departure. Harendra took over the team in April last year and led them to victory in the Asian Champions Trophy in November. However, his coaching period also included a disappointing performance in the FIH Pro League, where the team finished last and was demoted.

In a statement, Harendra expressed his pride in coaching the team. “This has been a highlight of my career. My heart remains with this extraordinary team,” he shared. He previously coached the U.S. men’s hockey team and said he would continue to support Indian hockey.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey acknowledged Harendra’s commitment and experience, highlighting his success with India’s junior men’s team, which won the FIH Jr World Cup in 2016. “We thank Harendra Singh for his services. His dedication to the sport is well-known,” Tirkey remarked. While expressing gratitude, he also mentioned that complaints about Harendra’s strictness were not the reason for his resignation.

Interestingly, reports indicate that former coach Sjoerd Marijne might return to lead the team. Marijne had previously guided the women’s team to a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before resigning.

While winning the Asian Champions Trophy was a silver lining, the team’s struggle in the FIH 2024-25 season was significant. With only two wins out of 16 matches, they failed to qualify for the next season. A source from Hockey India revealed that performance issues played a major role in Harendra’s resignation. Despite fulfilling all of his requests, the team’s results during his tenure were disappointing, with many key players suffering injuries.

Bhola Nath Singh, Hockey India’s Secretary General, also wished Harendra well and ensured that preparations for the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers would remain on track.

This shift comes at a critical time for Indian women’s hockey. The sport has shown growth and garnered attention, especially after the Olympic performance. Keeping this momentum and the right leadership will be crucial for future success. Coaching changes often spark renewed hope, and the focus now will be on finding a leader who can elevate the team back to winning ways.

For more details on the current state of Indian hockey, visit Hockey India.

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