Haryana coaches against Baldev getting extension

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, December 1

Dronacharya Awardee Baldev Singh’s extended tenure as coach of the Shahabad Hockey Academy ended yesterday an the issue of giving him another one-year extension has divided Haryana's hockey community.

Baldev, who trained at the Haryana Sports Department's Shahabad academy for almost 21 years and produced around 55 international players including three Arjuna Award winners and two Olympians, had been getting extensions since his retirement in 2008.

Recently, former India women's team captain Pritam Siwach and Haryana Sports Department’s coach Virender Singh had registered their protests against Baldev.

“If he (Baldev) has produced over 50 international players, he has also ruined the careers of many good players. Many girls who have come to me for training after being shown the door by Baldev, complained about his rude behavior,” Siwach told The Tribune.

"I have registered my protest with the Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij that Baldev must not get an extension this time. Other coaches must get the opportunity to prove their worth,” she added.

“Only those who agree to his terms and conditions could play and practice there. I have around 150 players but he never allowed us to practice on the synthetic turf. He retired in 2008 but since then he had been getting extensions,” Virender said.

Refuting the allegations, Baldev Singh, 64, said, “Some people with their vested interests are levelling such allegations against me. Those who say that I don’t let them play on the turf are the ones against whom I have taken disciplinary actions. They just want to control the Shahabad academy.”

“My tenure has completed and its up to the government whether they want me to continue or not but so far I have no information in this regard.”

Current India player Rani Rampal extended her support, saying, “He has been working hard for hockey and I wish he continues to teach the budding players here. His absence will affect the Indian team too as many players in the Indian team belong to Shahabad academy. We will seek his extension.”

Former India captain Sandeep Kaur said: “The allegations levelled against him are baseless.”