Player dissatisfaction and poor results lead to coach's sudden exit
The tenure of Harendra Singh as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team came to an abrupt end on Monday. While the official statement from Hockey India indicates that the veteran coach stepped down due to "personal reasons," reports suggest that a rebellion within the squad regarding his conduct forced the decision.
The situation escalated rapidly after senior members of the team approached the Union Sports Ministry just days ago. Sources indicate that players raised serious concerns regarding Singh’s "high-handedness" and stated they were no longer willing to represent the national side under his mentorship. This was reportedly the second time the squad had flagged these issues, with initial complaints lodged with the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) division several months prior.
Acting on directives from the Sports Ministry to investigate the matter, Hockey India's top leadership, including President Dilip Tirkey and Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh, flew to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru. On Monday, they held individual consultations with the players currently in the national camp.
It became evident during these meetings that the dressing room was fractured. Nearly half the team expressed a desire for a change in leadership, citing a toxic environment, alleged favouritism, and mismanagement of player injuries. An anonymous senior player revealed that roughly 10 to 11 team members were struggling with injuries but were allegedly pressured to conceal them. Additionally, an unsigned letter has surfaced accusing the coaching staff of mental harassment, though its authenticity is yet to be verified by officials.
Performance on the field also played a crucial role in this departure. Although the team secured the Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir last November, recent results have been worrying. The team faced relegation from the FIH Pro League after a dismal season and suffered a defeat to China in the Asia Cup final, jeopardizing their qualification chances for the 2026 World Cup.
In his farewell statement released by the federation, Harendra Singh resigns noting that coaching the team was a privilege, despite the circumstances. Looking ahead, Hockey India is reportedly considering bringing back Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, who led the team to a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, or engaging Australian legend Ric Charlesworth to stabilize the squad.
