Hockey India named former India captain Tushar Khandker as a coach for the junior women's team

Hockey India on Tuesday appointed former captain Tushar Khandker as the new coach of the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team. His appointment is a big achievement for the junior women's team. The team is recently preparing for the FIH Women's Junior Hockey World Cup 2023 which will happen in Santiago, Chile. The World Cup will start from 29 November to 10 December.

Also Read: FIH Junior Women's World Cup 2023: India's matches, schedule, venue, and timings

Tushar Khandker's credentials are backed by an illustrious career in international hockey. He has also over the past decade developed a strong portfolio in coaching. Between 2014 and 2016, he was part of the Indian men's team as a coach. He has tasted many achievements including a silver medal at the historic Champions Trophy 2016 in London. Under his coaching, India also won gold at the Asian Champions Trophy, and bronze at the World Hockey League 2015. He was also part of the team's coaching staff for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

In his recent stint as deputy to head coach Janneke Schopman for the women's team, Tushar Khandker helped the team prepare for the Asian Champions Trophy 2021 in South Korea. He also played the 2022 Asia Cup, in Oman. In this tournament, the team won the bronze medal and also qualified for the World Cup. He was also a part of the women's team's support staff for the FIH Pro League 2021-22 season before that. In recent years, Tushar Khandker has done Hockey India's Coach Education Pathway Level Basic. Apart from that, he has also done Level 1, and Level 2 as well as FIH Level 1 course.

Also Read: India to open campaign against Korea in FIH Junior Men's World Cup

"It is always great to have former Indian team players return to the system as coaches. Tushar brings with him decades of experience in hockey both as a player as well as a coach and he will also be a great role model for the young players in the Junior Core Group. His appointment comes at the right time, as the team is preparing for the FIH Women's Junior World Cup 2023 in Santiago. I thank SAI for their support in appointing Tushar Khandker in this new role and I also wish Tushar the very best in this new endeavour." Welcoming Tushar Khandker to the national program of the junior team, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said.

On reaching SAI, Bengaluru, where the Junior Women's Core Probable Group is based, Tushar Khandker said, "I am grateful to Hockey India for entrusting me with this responsibility. I have always been inclined towards coaching after my playing career. Over the years, I have worked under some renowned coaches in world hockey and have learnt a lot working with them. I look forward to using my knowledge of the sport to help these young and talented players to elevate their performance in international hockey."