World Cup triumph and Dronacharya award will be the crowning glory for Indian men’s junior hockey coach C.R Kumar Premium

Kumar masterminded the Indian junior men’s team triumph in the Asia Cup in Salalah (Oman) recently and is all set to be the head coach of the side for the junior men’s World Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur from December 5 to 16 this year.

C.R. Kumar still remembers Rajinder Singh (Sr) lifting the hockey junior men’s World Cup in Hobart with the Indian players nearly 22 years ago.

Kumar was a bit peeved as the junior men’s team was his baby. The 60-year-old had coached the team for nearly two years, and guided it to the Asia Cup final.

However, in a sudden change of guard, Rajinder took over the reins at Hobart much to Kumar’s disappointment.

Kumar masterminded the Indian junior men’s team triumph in the Asia Cup in Salalah (Oman) recently and is all set to be the head coach of the side for the junior men’s World Cup to be held in Kuala Lumpur from December 5 to 16 this year.

Kumar has a wealth of experience, having coached the Indian senior men’s and women’s teams. He has also helmed the Malaysian women’s squad in a career spanning 25 years.

The seasoned coach obviously knows the importance of the World Cup and the pressure that comes with it. Kumar is hopeful of India clinching the trophy in Kuala Lumpur.

“I deserved to be there in Hobart with the team then, but it was not to be. No problem. To win the World Cup has been a recurring dream for me. I will make it happen since the boys are very talented,” said Kumar.