It looks as if Hockey India (HI) has roughly zeroed in on Graham Reid’s successor as leader trainer of the Indian males’s group. South African Craig Fulton has emerged because the most likely successor of the Australian, who led India to its first Olympic medal in 41 years.
“Even though it is not confirmed yet, Fulton looks likely to take up the job,” an reputable within the Indian hockey setup mentioned on situation of anonymity.
Fulton is recently an assistant trainer with Olympic champions Belgium, who additionally completed runners-up on the World Cup in Odisha in January.
Fulton turned into a likely candidate for the India task as a result of in contrast to him maximum best coaches are shriveled with groups until the 2024 Paris Olympics. “I do not know if he’s going or now not however I perceive the location. His contract used to be from the 2018 World Cup to the 2023 World Cup which is almost definitely why he turned into a non-controversial selection contract-wise,” an reputable within the Belgium hockey setup mentioned.
Fulton could also be a trainer with Belgian membership KHC Dragons and guided Racing to the Belgian hockey league name ultimate 12 months. “The league gets over on May 15 so it is possible that he may leave before it is over,” mentioned the Belgian reputable.
A former world who performed 191 suits for South Africa from 1996 to 2005, the 48-year-old additionally performed within the 1996 and 2004 Olympics and the 2002 World Cup.
After training stints in more than one golf equipment in England, Ireland and South Africa, Fulton turned into the Ireland head trainer in 2014. He guided Ireland to bronze on the 2015 EuroHockey Championship and helped them qualify for each the 2016 Rio Olympics – their first for the reason that 1908 London Olympics – and the 2018 World Cup. He used to be additionally named the 2015 FIH Men’s Coach of the Year.
After his four-year stint with Ireland, Fulton joined Belgium as an assistant to go trainer Shane McLeod in 2018, serving to them win the World Cup in Bhubaneswar later that 12 months. He used to be additionally a part of the Belgian outfit that gained the Tokyo Olympics gold and silver on the 2023 World Cup in Odisha.
Fulton’s brother Grant and spouse Natalie have been additionally South Africa internationals.
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, period in-between coaches David John and BJ Kariappa have joined the India camp and feature began coaching the group beginning Wednesday. It has been realized that Reid’s ultimate day of the one-month understand length used to be Tuesday. Reid hand over after India’s disappointing display on the World Cup in January the place the hosts completed joint 9th – the worst display by way of a bunch country.
“He didn’t come to practice the last two days and told us that his return ticket is confirmed and he will be flying out in a couple of days,” mentioned an India participant.
The group will teach in Bengaluru until March 6 ahead of touring to Rourkela the place they’ll play Pro League suits in opposition to newly topped global champions Germany and Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Australia from March 10 to fifteen.