9 months ago
Harendra Singh resigns as India women's hockey coach
Harendra Singh, the coach of the Indian women's hockey team, has stepped down from his job right away.
He said he is leaving for personal reasons, but some players had complained about how he treated them.
The team has not been doing well, winning only a few games and missing out on big tournaments.
Now, Hockey India is looking for a new coach, and they might bring back someone who coached the team before.
The players said the team environment was not good, with too much pressure and favouritism.
Harendra wished the team well in his goodbye message.
Harendra Singh resigns as India women's hockey team chief coach with immediate effect.
Cites personal reasons for his resignation, but players complained about his 'high-handedness' and 'mental harassment'.
Hockey India identifies Sjoerd Marijne and Ric Charlesworth as potential successors.
Indian women's team had a poor performance, winning only 2 out of 16 matches in FIH Pro League 2024-25.
Team failed to qualify for the next season of the FIH Pro League and the 2026 FIH World Cup.
- Who
- Harendra Singh, Chief Coach of India Women's Hockey Team
- What
- Resigned from his position
- Where
- India
- When
- With immediate effect
- Why
- Citing personal reasons, amidst complaints from players about his behaviour
Players' Complaints
Harendra Singh's Defense
Reason for Resignation
Players' Complaints
Players complained about Harendra's 'high-handedness' and 'mental harassment', leading to an investigation by Hockey India.
Harendra Singh's Defense
Harendra cited 'personal reasons' for his resignation in his official statement.
Team Environment
Players' Complaints
Players alleged a culture of favouritism, extreme pressure, and hiding injuries, which negatively impacted team performance.
Harendra Singh's Defense
Harendra expressed his privilege in coaching the team and wished them ongoing success.
Key facts
- Coach
- Harendra Singh
- Position
- Chief Coach, India Women's Hockey Team
- Resignation Date
- Immediate effect
- Reason
- Personal reasons (official), complaints about behaviour (unofficial)
- Potential Successors
- Sjoerd Marijne, Ric Charlesworth
- Team Performance
- 2 wins in 16 matches in FIH Pro League 2024-25
- Qualification Status
- Failed to qualify for next season of FIH Pro League and 2026 FIH World Cup
- Complaints
- Players complained about 'high-handedness', 'mental harassment', and 'extreme pressure'
Quotes
Harendra Singh
Former coach of the Indian women's hockey team
“Coaching the Indian women’s hockey team has been a privilege that has been a highlight of my career. Though personal reasons call me to step away, my heart remains with this extraordinary team and their ongoing success.”
firstpost.com
Anonymous Source
Hockey India official
“After speaking to the players, Hockey India officials realised that at least half of the team did not want to continue playing under Harendra because of various reasons, ranging from how he handled the team to the rising number of injuries and the poor performances. Hence, it was decided to part ways with him before the situation deteriorated further.”
firstpost.com
Senior Player
Senior player of the Indian women's hockey team
“Roughly 10-11 players are facing injury of one or the other kind and they were asked to hide them. A few players sensed a culture of favouritism, which created a bad team environment. All this had a negative impact on the team’s performance.”
firstpost.com
Sources
Shock exit! Harendra quits India women's hockey team
Amid complaints over ‘behaviour’, women’s hockey coach Harendra Singh quits citing ‘personal reasons’
Indian women”s hockey team chief coach Harendra Singh resigns
Player complaints forces Harendra Singh out as India women’s hockey coach after complaints of ‘high-handed’ behaviour: Report
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