Harendra Singh steps down as coach of Indian women's hockey team, citing "personal reasons"

Harendra Singh has resigned as coach of the Indian women's hockey team after having taken charge of the side ahead of the European leg of the 2024-25 FIH Pro League last year. Harendra, who had earlier coached both the Indian women and the men's teams, had returned to the women's camp after a six-year gap following the abrupt departure of Janneke Schopman.

Back in 2018, Harendra was moved from the Indian women's team to coach the men as part of a coach swap with Sjoerd Marijne ahead of the 2018 Champions Trophy.

Just over half a year after having taken charge, Harendra was shown the door by Hockey India after the Indians lost the Odisha World Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands.

The former defender from Bihar, who oversaw the men's side win a silver medal in the final edition of the 2018 FIH Champions Trophy, moved to the USA to coach the men's team after being relieved of his duties at home.

After returning to the women's camp last year, the Indian girls had mixed fortunes. The Indian Eves failed to win any of their matches during the European leg of the Pro League last year but defeated China 1-0 to win the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir.

At the 2025 Women's Asia Cup in Hangzhou, an Indian side without the services of ace drag-flicker Deepika went down 1-4 to China in the final.

The veteran Indian coach had repeatedly expressed his desire to build a team with an eye on the 2028 LA Olympics in an earlier interaction with Sportskeeda.

"Though personal reasons call me to step away, my heart remains with this extraordinary team" - Harendra Singh

Harendra Singh with Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh - Source: Getty

Citing personal reasons for stepping away from his role as Chief Coach of the Indian women's hockey team, Harendra Singh declared that he "cherished his journey" with Hockey India and would continue to support Indian hockey.

Harendra, who celebrated his 56th birthday just over a fortnight ago, cited personal decisions for the shock move.

“Coaching the Indian women’s hockey team has been a privilege that has been a highlight of my career. Though personal reasons call me to step away, my heart remains with this extraordinary team and their ongoing success. I will always cherish my journey with Hockey India and continue to support their efforts to take Indian hockey to the highest levels of achievement,” Harendra Singh stated as quoted by Hockey India.

Hockey India President Dileep Tirkey disclosed that a replacement would be announced "soon" while wishing Harendra Singh the very best.

"While we will announce a suitable replacement soon, we wish him the very best," Dileep Tirkey said.

The decision could not have come at a worse time for the Indian women, who are due to prepare for the FIH Women's World Cup qualifiers early next year, ahead of several other important events such as the Asian Games.

Harendra Singh had coached the Indian colts all the way to a gold medal in the 2016 FIH Junior World Cup. Several players from the victorious Junior World Cup team, like Harmanpreet Singh, Krishan Pathak, Mandeep Singh, and Gurjant Singh, have since progressed to become key members of the Indian senior side.