Make me coach or I quit, says Harinder Singh

But a discontent is brewing around the corner. Harinder Singh, who has been assistant coach continually for some time now, says he has had enough of being “assistant”. He made it clear today that he wants to be made coach of the national coach, or he’d quit.

“I have given nine years to coaching, and I think it is time I got to handle the team my way. I want complete freedom and I will promise the IHF a podium result in the upcoming Azlan Shah meet,” Harinder told The Indian Express.

Agencies had reported earlier on Monday that the IHF, in their effort to overhaul their own “dysfunctional system”, and, of course, going by supremo chief K P S Gill’s wishes, would effect a change in coaching.

Harinder added that he only wanted to coach the side for a single tournament and that if the team’s performance continues to be poor then he would quit himself.

“I guarantee to take the team into the final at the Azlan Shah, provided we do not meet Australia in semis, as they are to impossible to predict,” he added.

The decision on the new coach though has not been officially announced by the IHF. When contacted, IHF secretary, P Jyothikumaran said the federation will hold a press conference within the next few days where a new coach will be announced.