FIH-HI High Performance Coaching Course begins in Lucknow

LUCKNOW, September 4, 2012: Olympians and former international hockey players like Mohamad Riaz, Carriapa BJ, Baljeet Singh Saini, Surinder Kaur and Sandeep Kaur have been participating in the first-ever High Performance Coaching Programme for Indian coaches being conducted by Federation of International Hockey (FIH) and Hockey India that began here today.

The three-year programme aims to help Indian coaches obtain up to a Level 3 certification and will be an annual feature during the Hockey India Junior National championship. As many as 46 coaches have registered for the inaugural course that is being conducted by FIH Master Coach and FIH Coaching and High Performance Manager Tayyab Ikram and FIH Grade 1 Coach Siegfried Aikman.

“I appreciate Hockey India for taking such initiative of starting proper coach Education System for the coaches in India. Hockey in India needs to be institutionalised and the focus should be on the structural development and high performance awareness. There is a pressing need of professional high performance center and a long term plan for coaches and training of team entourage, time to give up ad hoc arrangements,” Mr Ikram said.

“In India, we need to be more consistent when it comes to coaching development. This can be the most important investment for a country which is very rich in potential and talent. FIH will support every positive step to develop coaches, both the President Leandro and CEO Kelly Fairweather are determined to assist this important initiative,” he said.  

The seven-day programme will conclude on September 10, a day after the conclusion of the nine-day 2nd Hockey India Junior Men National Championship.

The programme includes two HP Courses a year and will target the experienced and qualified coaches from all over India. It also includes HP input from top experts and practical coaching sessions, discussions on HP Development, special presentations and contributions from participants, match analysis, feedback after each course and complete monitoring and assessment process will be in place.

“We are delighted to assist the coach education programme which intends to develop the coaches with updated and scientific know how of High Performance Coaching, an area which needs attention and resources in a country full of talent” Kelly Fairweather, CEO, FIH said.

Before the session could begin today, Uttar Pradesh Hockey officials like Dr RP Singh, Anandeshwar Pandey and ex-India star Rajnish Mishra welcomed the participants and the course conductors also.

Hockey India Press release