Chandigarh, Dec 25 (NationPress) The head coach of the Hockey India League (HIL) franchise Soorma Hockey Club, Jeroen Baart, is convinced that the presence of a seasoned player like Sardar Singh as a mentor will provide invaluable experience for younger athletes, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the team through insights from a former Indian hockey legend.

Sardar Singh, who boasts an impressive record with 314 caps, has recently joined the coaching team of Soorma Hockey's men's squad. He earned the title of Player of the Tournament during the inaugural HIL season in 2013 with the Delhi Waveriders and has participated in every edition of the league until 2017. Post-retirement, he has also taken on coaching roles for the Indian Sub Junior and Hockey5s teams.

Baart expressed his admiration, stating, "Sardar is a wonderful individual, and his immense talent can impart significant experience to the players, especially the younger ones. Having input from someone with such vast experience is incredibly beneficial for me as well."

Reflecting on the transition Sardar is making from player to coach, Baart noted, "It's refreshing to have someone on staff who brings a unique perspective from their own playing experience. For our Indian players and international teammates alike, having someone like Sardar around to share insights is fantastic."

Regarding the team’s preparations for the upcoming tournament, Baart has been dedicated to fostering strong connections, establishing a cohesive style of play, and identifying effective offensive triggers.

He shared, "Being here early allowed me to spend valuable time with the core Indian group. There were numerous new faces, and it was a pleasure to engage with them individually to build rapport. I hope they are also getting to know me better and enjoying the process."

Baart further elaborated on the team's strategy, stating, "We are diligently working on connectivity, defining a clear style of play, and identifying key offensive triggers. We're blending traditional Indian offensive hockey with a solid structure to ensure we maintain a controlled approach while balancing our style of play."

He expressed satisfaction with the composition of the team, which features a dynamic mix of players, including the enthusiastic spirit of an Argentinian, the tactical prowess of a Belgian, the offensive brilliance of a Dutch player, and the physical strength of an Australian, all complemented by the expertise of Indian players such as Harmanpreet, Vivek Sagar, and Gurjant Singh.

Baart proudly stated, "We've successfully assembled a well-rounded team. We have received much praise for our balanced squad comprising talented juniors, seasoned Indian players, and a strong group of international players. It’s essential that we align all elements as we gear up for the tournament."

He concluded, "The mix of fiery Argentinian passion, Belgian control, Dutch offensive flair, and Australian physicality, combined with the experience of Harmanpreet, Vivek, Gurjant, and others, creates an exceptional blend of talent."

The Hockey India League is set to commence from December 28 to February 1, 2025. Soorma Hockey Club will kick off their first campaign on December 29 against the Tamil Nadu Dragons in Rourkela.

Soorma Hockey Club's roster includes:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Vanasch, Mohith H S, Jashandeep Singh

Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh, Jeremy Hayward, Gurinder Singh, Nicolas Della Torre, Sukhvinder, Ashu Maurya, Pradip Mandal

Midfielders: Vivek Sagar Prasad, Victor Wegnez, Jonas De Geus, Harjeet Singh, Nicolas Poncelet, Prabhjot Singh, Ankush, Sunit Lakra

Forwards: Gurjant Singh, Dayaan Cassiem, Boris Burkhardt, Maninder Singh, Pawan Rajbhar, Harish Somappa Mutagar