Former India excessive efficiency director David John and ex-junior India coach BJ Kariappa have been named interim coaches of the Indian males’s hockey workforce for the March leg of the Professional League that will probably be held in Rourkela. Shivendra Singh, who was already a part of the assist workers, will help them.
The choice follows the resignation of chief coach Graham Reid, analytical coach Gregg Clark and scientific advisor Mitchell Pemberton within the wake of India’s dismal present on the World Cup in January the place they completed joint ninth in Odisha – the worst present by a number nation on the quadrennial occasion.
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“On the Professional League in Rourkela, the workforce will play beneath interim coaches till Hockey India (HI) pronounces the brand new chief coach,” HI president Dilip Tirkey mentioned on Monday.
John and Kariappa are at the moment employed by the Odisha sports activities division with the Australian working as director hockey, Odisha, and Kariappa employed as chief coach (hockey), Odisha.
John was HI’s final high-performance director and resigned from the submit in 2020. He had joined the Indian workforce setup in 2011 as physio when Michael Nobbs was the chief coach. He left his place in 2012 earlier than returning as high-performance director in 2016, succeeding Roelant Oltmans, who turned the chief coach changing Paul van Ass. After resigning from his HI submit, he joined the Odisha sports activities division in 2022.
Kariappa was the Indian junior workforce coach earlier than leaving his place final yr and becoming a member of the Odisha sports activities division.
HI have additionally introduced a youthful 20-member squad that may tackle the newly topped world champions Germany and Tokyo Olympics silver medallists Australia in matches that will probably be held from March 10 to fifteen.
The squad will probably be led by defender and drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh whereas Hardik Singh has been promoted because the vice-captain after his good present on the World Cup.
In an experimental squad goalkeeper PR Sreejesh retains his place whereas Pawan has changed Krishan Bahadur Pathak, who has sought private depart for his marriage.
The defence will probably be led by Harmanpreet, Jugraj Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Manjeet and Manpreet Singh. The midfielders are Hardik, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh and Raj Kumar Pal. The forwardline will characteristic S Karthi, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek and Gurjant.
Gamers not chosen for these matches have been launched from the nationwide teaching camp to play within the Senior Males’s Inter-Division Nationwide Championships that started in Bengaluru on February 26. The 20-member squad will proceed to coach in Bengaluru until March 6 earlier than shifting to Rourkela.
“The nationwide selectors have chosen a younger workforce who’re making good progress on the worldwide stage. They are going to be nicely guided by the presence of senior gamers who’ve in depth worldwide expertise taking part in for India,” Tirkey mentioned.
India face Germany on March 10 within the first match of this leg adopted by Germany taking part in Australia on March 11. On March 12, India and Australia will meet earlier than the hosts play Germany once more on March 13. The following day, Germany will face Australia once more earlier than the ultimate recreation on March 15 when India play Australia the second time.
India squad
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Pawan
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jugraj Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Manjeet, Manpreet Singh
Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Raj Kumar Pal
Forwards: S Karthi, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Gurjant Singh