Changing Guard: Indian Women's Hockey Coach's Sudden Exit

Harendra Singh has resigned as the chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team citing personal reasons. This sudden resignation paves the way for Dutch tactician Sjoerd Marijne's potential return. Under Singh, the team's performance was lackluster, failing to qualify for the next FIH Pro League season.

In a surprising turn of events, Harendra Singh has stepped down from his position as the chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team, citing personal reasons. The announcement came on Monday via an email to Hockey India, signifying an immediate effect on the team's leadership.

Sources speculate that Dutch tactician Sjoerd Marijne, who previously led the team to a commendable fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is poised to return as the head coach. Marijne resigned in August 2021, leaving a notable legacy behind.

During Singh's tenure, the Indian women's team struggled, securing only two wins out of 16 matches in the FIH Pro League 2024-25. With these performance challenges, the team failed to secure a spot in the next season, indicating a critical need for leadership change.

(With inputs from agencies.)