Women's hockey coach dies in crash

New Delhi: Indian women's hockey team coach Inderjit Singh Gill died on Wednesday afternoon, following a car crash. Gill, who was presiding over the ongoing national camp in Patiala, was on his way back from Faridkot when his car crashed into a trolley. He was accompanied by his wife, who also suffered seri ous injuries and has been admitted to a hospital.

Gill, 59, began his coaching career in 1986 and has pilot ed many international careers, including India internationals forwards Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and drag-flicker Sandeep Singh.

Former women's coach Narender Saini mourned the loss, saying the hockey fra ternity had lost a “great mentor“. “He has played a crucial part in shaping many Indian players. It is a great loss. He was about to retire in February next year and in fact, we were planning a farewell for him,“ he said.
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?Baskaran to assist India hockey side

DC/Manuja Veerappa
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In Indian sport, rarely do people set egos aside and be willing to work for the good of the game. Olympic gold medalist and former chief coach V . Baskaran, has set the ball rolling in that direction after assuming charge as a coach of the India team this week.

For a man who occupied the top job with the national side for six years to opt to work under current chief coach Terry Walsh may resemble a climb down, but the 63year-old thinks otherwise.

“After my playing days my passion was always coaching and after being out of the national side coach for almost nine years, I felt I still have a lot to contribute to the sport. Hence I approached Hockey India and told them I'm willing to work with Terry Walsh,“ Baskaran told this newspaper.

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