Former India captain Tushar Khanderkar has been appointed as the coach of the Indian junior women's hockey team, Hockey India announced on Tuesday.
Khandekar will take charge of the team that is preparing for the FIH Women's Junior Hockey World Cup 2023 in Santiago, Chile, which is scheduled to take place from 29th November to 10th December.
After retiring from international hockey, the midfielder has developed a strong portfolio in coaching over the last 10 years.
"I have always been inclined towards coaching after my playing career," said the 38-year-old Khandekar. "I have worked under some renowned coaches in world hockey and have learnt a lot. I look forward to using my knowledge of the sport to help these young and talented players to elevate their performance in international hockey."
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Between 2014 and 2016, he was coach of Indian men's team and helped them to numerous feats including a historic Champions Trophy 2016 silver medal in London, a gold at Asian Champions Trophy and a bronze at the World Hockey League 2015 in Raipur among others. He was also part of the team's coaching staff for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Khandker has also pursued FIH Level 1 course apart from Hockey India's coaches education pathway Level Basic, Level 1 and Level 2. He was the deputy coach of the Indian women's national team for the past couple of years.
"It is always great to have former Indian team players return to the system as coaches," former India captain and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said.
"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."
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