Qualifying round for 2020 Olympics will be crucial for Graham Reid, asserts Marcellus Gomes
Hockey India
Former Indian hockey player Marcellus Gomes has stated that the most important thing for the new Indian men’s hockey coach will be ensuring the qualification for the upcoming Olympics next year. There are reports that the appointment of Graham Reid, as the next coach, is at the final stage.
Ever since Harendra Singh’s sacking as the chief coach of the Indian men’s hockey coach, the team is without a proper guide with Hockey India’s high-performance director David John at the helm. India recently finished second at the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia and their next tournament will be the FIH Series Finals in Bhubaneswar which will act as the first qualifying round for the Tokyo Olympics.
Former Australian player Reid is set to be appointed as the new coach of the team and according to Olympian Gomes, this tournament is going to be the first major challenge for him.
"The most important thing for him is to ensure that the team qualifies (for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics) and the qualifying round is important," Gomes told PTI.
"He (Reid) will have to get used to the (style of play) as he has never coached an Indian team or a team from Asia."
Ex-Indian skipper MM Somaya highlighted the importance of having Reid at the helm because of the Australian’s vast experience as a coach. Somaya also stressed on the fact that the Australian style of play will be helpful for the Indian side in coming days.
"Graham Reid is an experienced coach and he will probably get some of the Australian
