Prior to the Asian Games, Hockey India fulfils its promise to hire a mental conditioning coach

When the FIH Hockey World Cup was held in Bhubaneshwar earlier in the year, the Indian men’s hockey team, coached by Harmanpreet Singh, was considered a front-runner to win.

However, things went south when the host team fell to New Zealand in a penalty shootout and was eliminated before even reaching the knockout rounds. A few days later, the men’s team’s then-coach Graham Reid announced his resignation.

Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, voiced his displeasure with the outcome after India’s defeat. Nevertheless, he dodged all inquiries regarding taking over for Harmanpreet as India’s captain. Instead, there were discussions of hiring a mental strength coach to reenergize the group and help it reach its maximum potential.

On Thursday, Hockey India issued a statement announcing the hiring of Paddy Upton, the former mental fitness coach for the Indian men’s cricket team, to work with the hockey squad. In a press release, Upton said, “I have witnessed the tremendous growth of Indian hockey in recent years, and I am excited to contribute to the team’s success by enhancing their psychological and mental toughness. I am honoured to be asked to work with the Indian men’s hockey team.” We’ll all work together to provide the best performance and perfection possible.

A PROSPEROUS START FOR UPTON WITH THE INDIAN CRICKET TEAM

Gary Kirsten, Team India’s then-coach, suggested adding Upton to the support staff as the 2011 Cricket World Cup was still a few years away.

For the next three years, the South African team worked closely with the players, and during that period, India became the No. 1 Test team for the first time ever in 2009. Even better, the squad went on to win the 2011 World Cup, their first major trophy in 28 years since India’s victory in 1983.

Upton has also served as the head coach of many other teams, including the Pune Warriors of the Indian Premier League in 2012, the Rajasthan Royals from 2013 to 2015, and most recently, the Delhi Daredevils (2016–17).

WHAT CAN THE INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM EXPECT FROM UPTON?

One of the factors that led Hockey India to choose Upton as a member of the hockey team’s support staff may have been his strong résumé.

The Indian men’s hockey team is eager to put the World Cup failure behind them and add a fourth gold medal to their collection of Asian Games victories with little time remaining before the competition.

Upton is aware of the strain the players are under and the necessity for a strong support structure to help them through difficult times.

“Hockey India wanted to make sure there is absolutely nothing lacking in the team’s preparations for major tournaments this year, particularly the Asian Games in China where the Olympic qualification will be on the line,” Tirkey said after announcing the new position.

Upton is a breath of new air who offers impressive achievements to support his credentials. The only direction India can go in as they attempt to add to their collection of gold medals from the Asian Games is up.