Hockey coach in trouble after CWG show
CONTROVERSY In wake of debacle, players meet Hockey India officials, speak about ‘flawed’ selection by Marijne
LUCKNOW: Trouble is brewing for India men’s hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne after the team’s embarrassing performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, with sources saying the Dutchman and his support staff could receive a ‘warning’ if not marching orders.
India failed to clinch a medal at the quadrennial games for the first time since 2006 Melbourne, finishing fourth. Sources said that eight senior India players, including skipper Manpreet Singh, met Hockey India (HI) officials in New Delhi on Tuesday, and, after hearing their ‘grievances’, HI has decided to hold a review meeting later this week.
It is learnt, the players spoke vehemently about the selection process followed by the Dutch expert. Marijne had blooded many youngsters, such as Dilpreet Singh, Vivek Prasad and Gurinder Singh among others, at the cost of stalwarts like Sardar Singh and Ramandeep Singh.
A member of the squad reportedly told HI bosses, “Everyone saw how brilliantly veterans SV Sunil and keeper PR Sreejesh performed in CWG. We needed to have more seniors in the side.”
An HI official, who was present during the meeting with players, said on condition of anonymity that, everyone’s views will be heard before taking a call on the coach and technical staff. Some kind of warning is definitely expected, if not marching orders to the coach, said the official.
A player went to the extent of saying at the meeting that the coach stopped giving fresh ideas or strategies after the narrow win over Wales. He said the team played on its own (after the Wales win) as there was nothing new in the coach’s planning, adding that if the players had to do everything on their own then what was the need for a coach?
The players, who reportedly met the HI top brass, included Sreejesh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, among others.
The HI official said that keeping in mind the three major tournaments — Champions Trophy, Asian Games and the World Cup — all aspects of the game will be discussed threadbare and corrective measures taken. He added that India couldn’t do well even against teams ranked lower despite the government and HI providing ample support.
Indian hockey has seen more than half a dozen coaches, including Marijne’s predecessor Roelant Oltmans, Terry Walsh, Michael Nobbs and Ric Charlesworth among others, being shown the door in the last eight years.
The men’s team camp commences later this week in Bangalore, but Marijne is expected to join in the second week of May as he is in the Netherlands and facing visa issues.