Harendra Singh, the head coach of India’s national women’s hockey team, is taking a methodical, long-term approach to rebuilding and strengthening the squad, with a sharp focus on the 2026 season. After a successful spell in 2024, where the team clinched the gold medal at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar, Singh is determined to ensure that this victory is just the beginning of a larger journey.
Under Singh’s guidance, the Indian team defeated the Olympic silver medalists, China, with a 1-0 win in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy, signaling the team’s potential to compete at the highest level. However, Singh is clear that while this win was a significant achievement, it is only one milestone in the broader goal of preparing for future competitions, particularly the 2026 season, which will feature both the Asian Games and the FIH World Cup. "Winning the Asian Champions Trophy was important, but it's just the first step. We have much more to accomplish," Singh stated.
The Indian women’s hockey team has had a rollercoaster ride in recent years. The historic fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a major breakthrough, but the team’s failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics was a setback. Despite this, Singh is unwavering in his belief that rebuilding and regrouping are essential in this phase of the team’s journey. "We have worked on specific areas, and our success in Bihar showed that we are heading in the right direction," Singh said, adding that the focus now is to build a team capable of competing strongly in the 2026 season.
With the 2026 season fast approaching, Singh is concentrating on sharpening the team’s tactical and technical skills. One key area he is prioritizing is enhancing the team’s muscle memory and implementing tactical variations that will allow the team to outwit opponents. He believes that adaptability and consistency will be crucial for success at the highest levels of international hockey. "In the coming months, we will work on developing more tactical flexibility," Singh explained. "Players need to be able to adapt to different styles of play and stay consistent throughout the competition."
Singh’s strategic approach will see the team focus on refining their skills in specific areas, such as field goal conversions and penalty corner execution. He emphasized the importance of these elements during the upcoming FIH Pro League, which kicks off in February 2025. "The Pro League will be a great opportunity for the players to learn and refine their ability to convert field goals and penalty corners. These are crucial areas that will make a difference in tight games," Singh noted.
The 2025 season is particularly critical for Singh, as he views it as a build-up phase for the much more high-stakes 2026 season. "We need to work on every aspect of the game—both individually and as a team—so that we are fully prepared for the challenges ahead," he said. The focus in 2025 will be on continuous improvement, with no room for complacency. Singh emphasized that every match and training session will be aimed at laying the foundation for a successful 2026 season. "There will be no scope for error in the 2026 season. It is going to be a make-or-break year, with the Asian Games and World Cup on the line," he stated.
Singh is clear that the team’s success hinges not only on individual brilliance but also on collective discipline, adaptability, and resilience. He sees 2025 as a pivotal year to perfect the team’s style of play and ensure that they are in peak form when the major tournaments arrive. While the players are excited about their recent success at the Asian Champions Trophy, they understand that there is much more work to be done. "The players are eager to continue learning and growing. They understand that success at the Asian Champions Trophy was just a small part of the larger journey," Singh said.
As the team continues its preparations, Singh’s emphasis on building a cohesive, well-rounded squad will be essential. His goal is to develop a group that not only excels in individual skills but also functions seamlessly as a unit, capable of adapting to the challenges posed by different opponents. The upcoming seasons will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian women’s hockey, and Singh is determined to guide the team toward sustained success, with a sharp focus on the 2026 Asian Games and World Cup.
Ultimately, Singh’s long-term vision is to create a team that can consistently compete at the highest level, capable of achieving greatness on the international stage. By investing in tactical depth, technical precision, and mental resilience, he aims to elevate India’s women’s hockey team into a dominant force in global hockey.
