Indian Women's Hockey Coach Harendra Singh Steps Down Amid Controversy

Harendra Singh resigned as the Indian women's hockey team chief coach citing personal reasons. Despite leading India to an Asian Champions Trophy victory in 2022, his tenure was marred by poor performance in the FIH Pro League, leading to his departure as requested by Hockey India.

In a surprising move, Harendra Singh resigned as the chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team, citing personal reasons. His decision, announced on Monday, follows a turbulent stint that began in April last year. While he guided India to a title in the Asian Champions Trophy last November, the team underperformed in the FIH Pro League, finishing last in the 2024-25 season.

'Coaching the Indian women's hockey team has been a privilege,' Harendra expressed in a statement, emphasizing his fond memories and continued support for the team. Despite his departure, he assured that his dedication to Indian hockey remains steadfast.

Hockey India hinted at performance issues as the real reason behind Singh's exit, although they officially accepted his resignation citing personal reasons. The board has announced that they will soon begin their search for a new coach. Meanwhile, speculation has arisen about a potential return of Dutch tactician Sjoerd Marijne to the position he left after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

(With inputs from agencies.)