Aiming excessive: With the junior boys being very proficient and matured, Kumar desires to make his dream come true.
| Photo Credit: Ok.V. SRINIVASAN
C.R. Kumar nonetheless remembers Rajinder Singh (Sr) lifting the hockey junior men’s World Cup in Hobart with the Indian gamers almost 22 years in the past.
Kumar was a bit peeved as the junior men’s group was his child. The 60-year-old had coached the group for almost two years, and guided it to the Asia Cup remaining.
However, in a sudden change of guard, Rajinder took over the reins at Hobart a lot to Kumar’s disappointment.
Kumar masterminded the Indian junior men’s group triumph in the Asia Cup in Salalah (Oman) lately and is all set to be the head coach of the facet for the junior men’s World Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur from December 5 to 16 this 12 months.
India, which gained the Asia Cup at Oman underneath Kumar’s steering, will look to high the podium at the world stage too.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Plenty of expertise
Kumar has a wealth of expertise, having coached the Indian senior men’s and girls’s groups. He has additionally helmed the Malaysian girls’s squad in a profession spanning 25 years.
The seasoned coach clearly is aware of the significance of the World Cup and the strain that comes with it. Kumar is hopeful of India clinching the trophy in Kuala Lumpur.
“I deserved to be there in Hobart with the team then, but it was not to be. No problem. To win the World Cup has been a recurring dream for me. I will make it happen since the boys are very talented,” stated Kumar.
Thrilled
He was thrilled that his wards certified for the World Cup with an environment friendly efficiency in the Asia Cup at Oman by following his dictum that each participant should rating.
“I knew Pakistan was the team to beat. My strategy was that all the players would have to play an attacking game. Every team feared us precisely for that reason. And if you look at the statistics, except the two goalkeepers, all 16 of our players scored,” stated Kumar, recognized for his acumen and meticulous preparation.
Kumar was out of the nation for three years from March 2019. After his father’s loss of life, he went to Oman to coach a neighborhood membership Ahli Sidab in the men’s super-division class, not prepared to disturb the Indian group getting ready for the Tokyo Olympics.
His untiring efforts helped Ahli Sidab win the title for two consecutive years. “It was a nice challenge for me and I enjoyed every minute of it. I took quite a few former Indian players in my side in 2022,” he stated.
It was then that he obtained a name from world hockey president Narinder Batra who requested him to affix the Indian junior group as head coach.
And Kumar was greater than glad to simply accept the supply.
His first task was the Sultan of Johor Cup. He proved his value when he shepherded the group to the gold with a win over a formidable Australia in the shootout. “That was the first tournament for our juniors team in six years and the Sultan of Johor Cup was the only scheduled tournament in the FIH calendar. It was one way to test the standards of the team,” he stated.
Then the victory at the Asia Cup catapulted Kumar to the pinnacle of glory. However, he’s not happy with what he has achieved and the junior group coach has set his sights on the World Cup gold.
With this in thoughts, the group will journey to Dusseldorf for a five-nation event — Spain, Argentina, England and Germany the different sides — and for the Sultan of Johor Cup.
Matured squad
“The current junior team is a very mature squad with high technical standards. I have been given a free hand by Hockey India. I have a strong belief that India can win the World Cup. Moreover, I have a strong and dependable support staff who will help me with my tactics and technical preparation,” stated Kumar.
He has excessive reward for the boys and felt that they will shine in senior world occasions quickly. “From my team, a minimum of two players will represent India in the Paris 2024 Olympics,” he stated.
Unfulfilled dream
Kumar has one other unfulfilled dream that he probably ought to have achieved lengthy again — the Dronacharya award. In reality, in 2022 he was advisable for the honour however his title, together with a number of others, was surprisingly neglected.
“I will win the World Cup at Kuala Lumpur and then apply for the Dronacharya award,” he stated.
From beginning his teaching profession for the National men’s group helping V. Baskaran at the 1998 Utrecht World Cup to being Cedric D’Souza’s deputy in the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Kumar has witnessed a number of ups and downs. The man has, nevertheless, remained grounded and served the sport with distinction.
