Rajinder (Jr) will be new chief coach

NEW DELHI: Rajinder Singh (Junior) is set to take over as the new chief coach of the Indian hockey team. As per Indian Hockey Federation's plans, the appointment of the former left-half, who represented the country in the 1984 Los Angles Olympics will be, initially, only for the Azlan Shah tournament which will be held in Kuala Lumpur in May. Hyderabad-based Narinder Pal Singh, who has no international experience as player and coach, has been selected as assistant coach.The IHF is likely to announce the names on Tuesday. The IHF will also be appointing a special coach for goalkeepers and former international Romeo James has been picked for it. Rajinder's playing career was marred due to an international ban for indiscipline during the 1985 Asia Cup final against Pakistan. In fact, James also received a ban during the same match. Besides, James and MR Negi were the goalkeepers of the team when India lost 1-7 to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games hockey final in New Delhi. The Serviceman was later selected to the country at the 1984 Olympics. The coaches, meanwhile, will have little time to prepare themselves as the preparation camp for the Azlan Shah event is scheduled to begin on Wednesday itself. Sources said that IHF secretary K Jothikumaran was expected to arrive here on Tuesday to discuss the camp preparation with officials of the Sport Authority of India (SAI). The camp probables are likely to stay in SAI's Nehru Stadium, where the facilities are below par. However, an IHF official told TOI on Monday that, "These issues have been discussed with SAI officials and the probables will not stay in hostel dormitories but in AC rooms that are allotted to senior national coaches."