Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Harendra Singh has asserted that the team is prepared to overcome recent setbacks and is set to start a new journey with the World Cup and the Olympics in mind.
He further said that the performance in the Asian Champions Trophy will serve as a base for the future.
The Indian women's team has endured a very rough and long patch since its historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Games.
The team also failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and lost 13 of the 16 FIH Pro League matches.
Coach Harendra said his team has worked hard to shrug off the lean run and is preparing for a good show at the 2026 World Cup in the Netherlands and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"This tournament is a base for our future planning. ACT as on our calendar, what we want to achieve in terms of results. It will be the start of the journey for mission 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics," Harendra said ahead of India's ACT tournament opener against Malaysia on Monday.
"We have overcome all the setbacks and worked on our mistakes. Everyone realised their role and knew their role and understood that. ACT is one of the biggest platforms for the girls to showcase their skill and excel and show that the team is on the right path,” he continued.
Harendra reiterated that fitness is an area which impacted the women's team adversely.
"Whatever has happened in the Pro League is a past, we can't keep crying on that. Yes, we know we lost 13 games but there are reasons behind it. The reasons are not technical, but tactical, it's about fitness and that's why I took them to Indian Naval Academy,” Harendra added.
"I am looking at the results, I am looking at the progress they are making day after day," he said.
Harendra said together with fitness, the mental aspect of the game is also very important.
"Modern hockey doesn't compromise on fitness, if you slightly stray you are going to pay the price. Once you are fit you are mentally strong because you know if you lose the ball, you know you have the gas to regain the ball," Harendra added.
"I am not willing to look at the past, that is history for me. Always live in the present and the present is that we have the Asian Champions Trophy to defend which can get the entire country out of that setback,” he maintained.
The coach said he is pinning his eyes on young drag flickers Deepika and Manisha Chauhan to deliver the goods in the tournament.
"Deepika Manisha Chauhan and I are working on their drag flicks, and I am confident about them. I am confident they will deliver," Harendra said.
India captain Salima Tete said Olympic silver medallist China is the biggest threat in their title defence.
"China is the biggest threat for us but we are not underestimating any side. Every team can upset another on a given day," she said.
Salima said leading the side at such a young age of 22 is a challenge but she is up for it.
"It's a challenge for me and I accept that very few people get that honour. But my focus is on my performance which will motivate others," she said.
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