Hockey India has bolstered the preparations of the Indian men’s hockey team for the Paris 2024 Olympics by enlisting the services of Dutch goalkeeping coach Dennis Van de Pol. Van de Pol will play a pivotal role in refining the skills of Indian goalkeepers PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, and Suraj Karkera during the ongoing national coaching camp at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The 10-day special goalkeeping camp, under the supervision of Indian men’s hockey team head coach Craig Fulton, commenced on March 17 and will conclude on March 26. This initiative aims to fine-tune the goalkeeping prowess of the Indian custodians ahead of their crucial tour to Australia, scheduled a week after the camp concludes.
Dennis Van de Pol brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously worked with the Indian goalkeepers since 2019. His familiarity with the players and understanding of their requirements make him an invaluable addition to the coaching setup.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed optimism about the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This is a very important phase for the Indian men’s team, and everything they do in the months leading up to the Olympic Games will be crucial in achieving the desired result in Paris.”
Tirkey further added, “We are delighted to engage Dennis, who has been closely working with this group of goalkeepers for nearly four years now and understands the minor tweaks needed to lift their performance.”
The Indian men’s hockey team earned their spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics after clinching the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China. With their eyes set on Olympic glory, the team is gearing up for their campaign, commencing against New Zealand on July 27.
Meanwhile, ranked fourth in the FIH rankings, India finds themselves in Pool B for the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s hockey tournament alongside formidable opponents like Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland.
