Hockey India on Sunday named South African Gregg Clark as the chief coach of the junior men’s national team.
Clark, who coached the South African senior men’s team for seven years including the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, was also in charge of the title-winning Ranchi Rhinos in the inaugural edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) earlier this year.
Clark has initially been appointed for a period of one year though the contract can be renewed. The appointment has been made specifically with the junior World Cup in mind, which will be held in India in December this year.
Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said: “We are confident that under the guidance of Gregg Clark and Baljit Singh Saini the Indian team will be well prepared for this event.”
As coach of the junior national side, Clark will again team up with Saini, who was part of the Rhinos staff as well and is currently in charge of the fitness camp for junior probables in Bangalore.
“It will be a good experience. We share a comfort level after the HIL and a lot of the boys in the probables were also part of the Ranchi side so it will be easy to work together,” Saini said.
Clark is optimistic of his tenure.
“After coaching Ranchi Rhinos, I can say that Indian hockey has a bright future. I look forward to working again with Baljit Saini,” Clark said.
Clark will join the ongoing camp from April 13.
