New Delhi, Jan 5 Olympian Gregg Clark has been appointed as the new analytical coach of the Indian men's hockey team until the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics re-scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8.
The South African, who was formerly associated with the Canadian men's hockey team as assistant coach between 2017-2020, is scheduled to join the national coaching camp in early January.
Clark in his 11-year long career as a hockey player for the South African national team has 250 international caps and has appeared in two World Cups ('94 - Sydney & '02 - Kuala Lumpur), two Commonwealth Games ('98 - Kuala Lumpur & '02 - Manchester) and two Olympic Games ('96 - Atlanta & '04 - Athens).
Chief coach Graham Reid said Clarke will be an excellent addition to the Indian team.
"I am looking forward to welcoming Gregg Clark as a new member of our coaching staff. He brings with him a swath of experience including 250 caps for South Africa, 4 Olympic Games (2 as a player and 2 as a Coach), 4 World Cups (2 as player and 2 as Coach), 3 CWG (2 as player and 1 as coach) and countless FIH tournaments," Chief coach Graham Reid said.
"Having been head coach of South Africa for six years and more recently assistant coach with Canada, his contemporary knowledge of our Olympic competitions is first class," he added.
Clark comes to India with over 13 years of coaching experience and his first big assignment came as head coach in 2007 when he took charge of the South African national team and worked with them from 2007 - 2013.
He has also participated as a coach at a number of major international tournaments, including the Olympic Games in Beijing and London, FIH World Cup 2010 and Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi. Clark also coached the Indian junior men's hockey team in 2013-2014 where the Colts won the coveted Sultan of Johor Cup and also participated at the 2013 FIH Junior World Cup in New Delhi.
"I am really excited to join the Indian men's hockey team. Having worked with Hockey India earlier, I understand the setup and their professionalism. Most of the players I coached in the junior team back in 2013 are now in the senior group and have come of age as players. It has been very exciting to watch this team grow over the past couple of years. They have a lot of potential to do very well in 2021 and for a number of years in the future," Clark said.
"Graham has been doing very well with the team. He comes with a wealth of knowledge in the sport and we have chatted quite a lot in the buildup to my appointment. We share the same philosophies in coaching and I look forward to working with Graham and the rest of the support staff,"he added.
( With inputs from IANS )
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