Why Dronacharya Award Recognition Matters So Much for Hockey Coach Sandeep Sangwan

A familiar face in the Indian domestic hockey set up, Sandeep Sangwan has worked with so many players who have subsequently transitioned through the junior ranks to the senior level over the last three decades – Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Devinder Walmiki, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit are among who have benefited from his coaching expertise. Needless to say, he has been doing a humongous job behind the scenes be it serving the Indian junior men’s team, the national men’s team or for home state Haryana or for his employers ONGC.

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The 47-year-old Sangwan is a respected figure in the Indian hockey coaching space – he started coaching in 2006 and has invested so much in transforming raw talents into finished products over the years. Understandably, the man from Sonepat is on cloud nine after being bestowed with the Dronacharya Award for 2024.

The award means a lot for Sangwan, who had to endure the disappointment of his name removed from the national sports award list in 2021 despite being recommended by the committee. “I was obviously dejected when I did not make the cut in 2021 but many of my well-wishers encouraged me and told me my time will come. Hockey Haryana secretary Sunil Malik has been a pillar of support in my journey. It helped to stay motivated and today, there is a great deal of satisfaction of getting recognized for all my two decades of hockey coaching,” says the FIH Level 3 coach in an exclusive interview with Hockey Passion.

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The ONGC-employed Sangwan had guided Haryana senior men to the national crown in 2022 as well as attained runners-up finishes at the 2023 and 2024 senior men nationals. Under the tutelage of Sangwan, Haryana men won its maiden gold medal at the 2023 National Games in Goa. “I knew I had strong coaching credentials to win the Dronacharya Award this time around – two national crowns and two runners-up finishes in last three years made a strong case,” quips the former Indian junior men’s team coach, who interestingly, had coached the Haryana senior men to glory in the inaugural Hockey India senior nationals in 2011 at Bhopal – a team that comprises the likes of Sardar Singh and Sandeep Singh.

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The soft-spoken former Haryana deep defender-cum-midfielder have gained substantial experience working with the likes of Michael Nobbs, Roelant Oltmans, Terry Walsh, and Paul Van Ass during his stint as Assistant Coach of the Indian men’s team between 2012-2016. “There is always so much to learn from these top international coaches – I was only richer with the experience. I have also learnt a lot from Baldev Singh Sir who has always encouraged me.” he observed.

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing in the hockey coaching journey of Sangwan. He was appointed the manager of the Indian senior men’s team for the 2016 Champions Trophy held at London – a trip he could not undertake as he faced a big personal crisis – his wife Poonam Rana was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “It was a tough moment for me – my air tickets were booked and I was ready to leave for London with the team. I took a call to stay back as my wife and two daughters needed my presence. Missing the 2016 Champions Trophy was a big deal but I have no regrets of how I acted at that time,” recalls Sangwan who had played for Air India Hockey, Mahindra & Mahindra, and ONGC between 1996 and 2005.

“I have fond memories of playing alongside Dhanraj Pillay and Gavin Ferreira in Mumbai for Mahindra & Mahindra – my stint in Mumbai was for around seven months before I landed a job in ONGC,” says. Sangwan who had played for the Indian men’s team in a 1997 Four-Nation Tourney in Moscow.

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What is surprising is that a person of Sangwan’s calibre is not engaged with any of the ongoing Hockey India League franchises across both men and women teams. “I would be more happen to offer my coaching expertise wherever needed. I’m in a happy space now,” says Sangwan, who also guided Haryana to glory in the 2011 junior men’s nationals at Pune.