Halappa roped in to assist junior team as HI looks for new coach
NEW DELHI: After India’s Junior World Cup winning team coach Harendra Singh opted out, Hockey India has begun its hunt for a coach who can oversee junior men’s development programme to build the team for 2020 World Cup.
Hockey India, in fact, has already put out an advertisement calling up candidates.
The federation has announced a pool of 90 players, including 53 in men’s section, to build a national squad for future international competitions.
The national camp got underway on Wednesday at Bangalore’s Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre.
Former international players Baljit Singh Saini and Sunita Lakra will oversee training of women’s team while Olympian Arjun Halappa will assist the men’s team as a stop gap arrangement.
HI spokesperson Elena Norman said that the federation is looking for an expert for its long term development plan. “Hopefully, the new coach will join the camp by next week,” she told HT.
Harendra Singh, who was ignored after the World Cup in December 2016 following disagreement with the federation, wasn’t available for comment. . IPL10 is done, Mumbai Indians own the trophy, the noise has subsided, and lights dimmed. After 10 years, it is time to give IPL a critical look.
It is a great product but like anything in the slippery landscape of shifting consumer preferences, it must update itself. A makeover will ensure IPL maintains its appeal and not erode its support base. If the IPL was a corporate entity, the top management would be in a huddle to strengthen its future.
The key is to stay ahead of the curve and run faster. That’s why mobile/car/ watch manufacturers keep offering new models with new features. After 10 years, IPL’s cricket-tainment package looks frayed and somewhat tattered. With fatigue setting in, the 60-match six-week tournament is looking for the next big idea. How long can you keep walking the same walk and playing the same record?
One view suggests IPL should reboot to focus on its core – cricket and move away from the lure of cash, celebrities and cheerleaders. Fans buy tickets to watch top players play comThere petitive cricket, they would welcome a renewed focus on essentials instead of peripherals.
To polish its image, IPL should present a more caring, responsible face. Most of its controversies have arisen from an excessive focus on cash, so it’s time to adopt a charity and contribute to a socially-relevant initiative. Various city marathons do excellent work in this space --- why should cricket be left behind?
Until now, efforts in this field have been tentative and hesitant. Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni support uniformed forces as ‘brand ambassadors’ but the power of celebrities could be better used if formally structured into the IPL.
The IPL should also consider serious cricket-related changes.