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Former India captain Jude Felix has been appointed coach of the senior men's hockey team. The Olympian will work under chief coach Terry Walsh, Hockey India said on Wednesday.
Felix will join the team's training camp, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in Delhi, on Thursday.
The camp is in preparation for the FIH men's World Cup 2014, to be held at The Hague, Netherlands, from May 31 to June 15.
Speaking about his appointment, Felix, who will be on a probationary period of three months, said: "I am coming with the vast years of my playing and coaching experience at different levels. I am confident that I will be able to make a contribution to players individually and team as a whole.
"Working with two great coaches in Roelant Oltmans and Terry Walsh, I am looking forward to learning from them and passing on the knowledge to as many coaches as possible in India."
Dr Narinder Batra, secretary-general of Hockey India, said: "We are pleased to appoint Jude Felix as the coach of the senior men’s National hockey team. The players are very excited about the FIH Men's World Cup and are practicing rigorously in the preparatory camp.
"The appointment of Jude will help the players to use his vast experience of playing at various international and domestic tournaments and his vast experience will be an added advantage for the preparation of the upcoming World Cup.”
Felix is an Arjuna awardee (1995) and captained India between 1993 and 95. He also led India in the 1993 World Cup and 1994 Asian Games at Hiroshima.
He has played more than 250 internationals and represented India in two Olympic Games, in 1988 (Korea) and 1992 (Barcelona), two World Cups -- 1990 (Pakistan) and 1994 (Sydney), two Asian Games -- 1990 (Beijing) and 1994 (Hiroshima) and the Champions Trophy in 1985 (Australia), 1987 (Pakistan) and 1989 (Berlin).
He also worked as player-coach with Racing Club in Paris (European league and French League) in 1997-2000, and coached the Dutch Under-18 national team in the Leo Van Der Kar in 1997.
Felix was also player-coach with Singapore Recreation Club from 1995 to 1997 and 2001-2011. During this period, he was named 'Coach of the Year' in 2005 and 2007 by the Singapore Sports Council.
Image: Jude Felix