Hockey India appoints South African Gregg Clark as junior men's team coach
Clark is also the chief coach of Ranchi Rhinos who won the title of the inaugural season of the Hero Hockey India League.
Hockey India has appointed South African Gregg Clark as the national coach of the junior men's team ahead of the Junior World Cup to be played in India at the end of this year.
Hockey India secretary general Dr Narinder Batra said they are confident that India will do well under the guidance of Gregg Clark, who will start working with the team from April 12.
"Being the hosts of the Junior World Cup I think this is the best opportunity for India to win the title and bring back glory. We are confident that under the guidance of Gregg Clark, the Indian team will be better prepared for this mega event" he said. ÂÂ
"Hockey India has been looking for a candidate that not only has the experience of making junior players tactically and mentally strong but also prepares a team that brings back glory to the country in the near future. We are confident that Gregg Clark will share this vision and work hard to build a strong India team," said Dr Batra.
Clark, who is very excited to take on this new assignment as the coach of the junior national team, said India has rich talent in hockey and the team has great potential ahead of the World Cup.
"I have been to India many times and after coaching Ranchi Rhinos in the inaugural season of Hero Hockey India League, I can say that Indian hockey has a very bright future" he said.
Gregg Clark coached the national side of South Africa for 7 years and during this tenure his team played 120 internationals including two Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012, the World Cup (2010) and the Commonwealth Games (2010).
Clark is also the chief coach of Ranchi Rhinos who won the title of the inaugural season of the Hero Hockey India League.
As a player Gregg Clark has over 250 international caps and has represented South Africa in two World Cups in Sydney 1994 and Kuala Lumpur 2002, two Olympic Games, in Atlanta 1998 and Athens 2004, two Commonwealth Games, in Kuala Lumpur 1998 and Manchester 2002 and three All Africa Games in 1995, 1999 and 2003.