There’s not enough talent coming through in women’s hockey. HI is equally responsible for the poor state of the game in the country

In a system that just believes in winning and not building, a seasoned hockey coach like Harendra Singh could only survive 20 months as the head coach of the elite Indian women’s hockey team.

Singh’s tenure came to an abrupt end amid allegations of harsh regimen and favouritism.

Singh’s report card in the last 20 months wasn’t satisfactory, a senior Hockey India official had told Sportsbackstory.com in September.

But it takes time to build a team. Eventually, a team is selected from within a core group of players.

Lack of talent

Women’s hockey in schools and colleges is drying up in several regions of the country. The game needs to be nurtured in the grassroots. There’s a lack of talent coming through the pipeline.

 With only limited resources a coach is asked to produce a winning team in a short time, or face the axe.

Singh took over the reins of elite women’s hockey team post Paris 2024 Olympic Games and faced an uphill task in 2025.

FIH Pro League

He wasn’t able to change the fate of the Indian team on two occasions—FIH Pro League and 2025 Asia Cup in China, a competition that offered direct qualification to the winner for 2026 World Cup. India finished runners-up in the Asia Cup which hurt Hockey India more than anything else.

 “We have given him (Harendra Singh) all the facilities yet the Indian team couldn’t win the title at the 2025 Asia Cup in China and qualify for the 2026 World Cup,” a senior Hockey India official said in September.

2026 Asian Games

What will happen in the 2026 Asian Games? That was the talking point within the corridors of Hockey India as the government is spending huge amount of money on international exposure and coaching camps.

There were reports that some of the senior players weren’t satisfied with the functioning of Harendra Singh. The players raised the issue some time back but nothing much happened. At a crucial juncture with Asian Games less than a year away, Hockey India is looking for foreign coaches.

Accountability

Chief coach shouldn’t alone be blamed for injuries to several senior players in the team. Or for poor performances. The whole coaching staff and even Hockey India key office bearers should be accountable.

With just three months to go for another round of 2026 World Cup qualification in Feb/March, the new coach of the women’s team will have a challenging task. 

ENDS