Reports | Shivendra Singh to be appointed assistant coach of men’s hockey team

Harendra Singh was removed from his post as coach of the Indian men’s hockey team following the disappointing outing at last year’s Hockey World Cup, which was held in Orissa. India bowed out with a loss to Holland in the quarter-finals. While many big names have been rumoured to continue from where Singh left one name, in particular, Graham Reid, has emerged as the leading contender to lead the men’s team in the coming months.

While Reid’s appointment is yet to be confirmed, a recent report in TOI has further speculated that former India forward Shivendra Singh is also scheduled to be appointed as assistant coach of the national team. The source close to the development added that Singh will begin working with the squad next month onwards. Along with Shivendra, former Australian drag-flicker Chris Ciriello, who acts as the current analytical coach, will be the other assistant to Reid in the new set-up.

"Shivendra Singh will join the Indian team soon as an assistant coach soon. He will work with the forwards under the new chief coach," a source close to the development told TOI reporters.

The former striker was part of the men’s team that won a silver medal in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and was also involved in the bronze-medal win during the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Singh also won gold with the Indian team in the 2007 Asia Cup and 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

Reid's appointment as the chief coach is thought to be just a formality now after Hockey India and Sports Authority of India recommended his name to the Sports Ministry earlier this week. The report further added that Reid was selected after he committed himself to Indian hockey and agreed to relocate to India with his family.

"The new coach has committed to India. He will be shifting his base to India with his family and will be based in Bengaluru. The chief coach's tenure will be till the end of next year. As per world hockey standards every international coach's contract is supposed to be for an Olympic cycle.

"But his contract will have a provision os extension till 2022. Everything will depend on India's performances leading upto the Tokyo Olympics," the official added.