Once, he was termed ‘Bihari rickshaw puller, and a disgrace to Indian hockey’ after India missed out the bronze medal in the Junior Hockey World Cup 2005. Harendra Singh, the man who took the junior men’s hockey team to glory and ended a 15-year-old World Cup drought for India has indeed fetched the ‘Chak De’ moment for himself. His passion and dedication towards the national game of hockey was the key. In a conversation with Nishant Kr Azad, he shared his feelings and recalled the journey. Excerpts:
First of all, hearty congratulations for winning the Junior World Cup title in hockey. How special is it for you and the team?
I think it’s a great achievement for all of us. We are happy that after a long gap of 15 years, finally we could make it. For the juniors, it’s a special moment. They have staked the claim as “the future of hockey”.
What was going in your mind before the finals? What was your Mantra to the players before going on the field?
I was very much confident before the finals. Our preparation was good, boys were confident, the World Cup title was always there somewhere in my mind. All the players were calm and cool. Although we had not performed that well in quarters and semis, the
self-belief was intact. It’s only because of our tough training and positive attitude. Just before the match, in corridor of the hotel, I spoke to players and said, “Just enjoy the moment; this moment will never come in your life again. You may play many world cups in the coming future being part of senior team but this Junior World Cup Final 2016 will never come again as the tournament has certain age restrictions.” Reminding the Shahrukh khan’s dialogue from Chak De India, I told them to go and play their best game in the next 70
minutes without bothering about the results. “Playing best hockey is in your hand, so go and play your best. I am sure, at the end of the day the golden medal will be in your neck and Tiranga will be held high” was my simple message.
Do you see this win as a revival of hockey?
Hockey has been improving for the last three to four years. The revival of hockey started years back but a big win was required and here we are. Entire country can rely on the juniors now. We can hope that the future is secure. They have tasted the victory and now know the value of the victory. I am sure, most of the players will be seniors soon.
In 2014, You declared “Your team is going to win the trophy”. What was the reason behind this
confidence?
I have earned a lot of experience in coaching. We have one of the best setups and I was sure about the support from the Hockey India about the facilities. Unlike in the past, we tried to impart science in sports, not just the skills. Yes, skills are important but is just an element in the game. You need lot of other things to build a team. Nobody is talking about Scientific Advisor Cody Tribe but his contribution is priceless. We got one of the best Scientific Advisor for the team. Not only he changed the way boys ate, but also educated them on the importance of diet and fitness. Throughout the tournament none of the players got injured. Whatever I could achieve with these boys is because of their fitness.
In the first camp held on April 25, 2014, I had told the boys, (with a mischievous smile) “I can give you the gold medal but you have to work my way. And if you do not work in my way, you will go in highway.”
Your caller tune is “Aasan hai likhna watan ke liye, kabhi seekha hai mitna watan ke liye”. Any special reason for such a patriotic caller tune?
My entire family fought for the nation. My father was in Army and fought wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971. My uncles, cousins everyone served in the armed forces. I also wanted to do the same but unfortunately couldn’t. I always regretted for this. My caller tune is dedicated to the soldiers. I always keep on saying to my boys that we should always be thankful to our soldiers because when we are enjoying the matches, our
soldiers stand on borders to keep us play safe.
In April 2014, Hockey India handed over 48 players to you, how tough was it to select the best 18 out of them?
It was really a herculean task for me. All the players were so good that you can’t ignore any of them. I want to thank all the players, even those who did not make it in the final team.
Before finalising the team, I gave a piece of paper to all the players and asked them to give their team of best 18 players. And it was surprising for me that almost all the players gave the similar team what I have selected. On field, they were ready to die for each other.
How different is this team from the past teams?
The hallmark of this team is its unity. Our past teams were class of individuals. I always say, individuals can win a match but a team can win the
tournaments. The mindset in India has always been on individuals, and we don’t try to build a good team. I always insisted on building a team.
The Indian hockey always revolved around two or three great players. Since 2014, we have evolved a team of 18 and not a few players with individual skills. I made a WhatsApp group named ‘Mission 2016’ and the status was ‘Tiranga is my religion’. Majority of the players were from Punjab. While allocating the rooms I ensured that players from different states are partners in a room to develop understanding and bonding.
Any advantage of playing on the home turf?
Electrifying atmosphere at the stadium was one of the important factors. But I must say that this team was ready to play anywhere in the world.
Yor also faced many difficulties on the home front; how difficult was it for you to overcome this situation and focus on coaching?
Just days before leaving for Malaysia to play Johor Cup, I lost my cousin brother who was very close to me. For the players it was the first international tour and I was to
distribute team t-shirt to the players. Assistant coach BJ Kariappa asked me, Harendra, is everything ok? I replied, ‘No sir I have lost my brother’. I also requested him not to share this news with the boys. Since the team was going five days in advance, he insisted me to go and attend the funeral but I refused. Somehow boys came to know about this incident and they all came to my room and started crying. That time I realised, I found my team. Harjeet and Hamanpreet came to me and said, “Sir, you did a lot for us and it’s time to
payback”. And the result is in front of everyone.
Once you were termed ‘Bihari rickshaw puller, and a
disgrace to Indian hockey’. Was that fire inside you that led you to win this World cup?
I hail from Bihar where hockey is not so popular. During my college days, other players made fun of me, and used to taunt “Bihari rikshaw chalate hai, rikshaw
chalane aye ho, Hockey tumhare liye nahi hai”. That incident always haunted me. In 1985, I fought for the entry of the person who threw my stick and insulted me for his selection in the Delhi University team. Later during game against Punjab Agricultural university, I told him that “I am here because of you”.
I was dropped in 1992 from the team. I was always taunted for not being an Olympian. Thanks to the people who insulted me, I could prove that a ‘Bihari’ can also play hockey.
Do you think, it is cricket which
overshadowed hockey in India?
Jo dikhta hai, wo bikta hai. Cricket became popular after 1983 when India won the world cup. India hosted Asian games in 1982 and in the same year Colour television came to India.
After 1975 none of the Indian teams won the major tournaments in hockey. After 2010 things started getting
better when Dr Narender Batra took the charge and started acting professionally.
How do you look at Hockey India League (HIL)?
This is one of the best things that happened to the world of hockey. HIL is giving a boost to youngsters all over the world.
Your success mantras?
Discipline, Determination and Dedication.
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