Ex Indian star Shivendra Singh could be women’s hockey academy coach

BHOPAL: In order to promote vocal for local, sports department is focusing on local coaches for their academies. Bhopal-based Olympian Sameer Dad has been appointed the coach of men’s hockey academy recently. Efforts are now on to rope in former Indian hockey team centre forward Shivendra Singh of Gwalior for women’s hockey academy in Gwalior.
Set up in mid 2000, the men and women’s hockey academy have produced several players for the national team.Even for Tokyo Olympics, Indian women and men’s teams have several players trained from both these academies.
Sports department officials said that department wants to give priority to the local talent. "MP has produced several national and international hockey players. Shivendra Singh and Sameer Dad are such examples. After Sameer, department is trying to appoint Shivendra as the coach of women’s academy," said a senior sports department official requesting anonymity.
Department is likely to approach Shivendra soon. "It will be a big step if Shivendra joins the women’s hockey academy. His presence in the academy will bring a lot of change in the academy," said the official.
Shivendra was part of the Indian team that won a silver medal in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, besides being a member of the bronze medal-winning side of 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He was also a part of gold winning Indian team in 2007 Asia Cup and 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He is known for his trademark flight salute and celebration after scoring the goal.