Craig Fulton, the 49-year-old South African, has returned to New Delhi as the chief coach of the Indian men’s hockey team, where he made his international debut in 1995. After guiding India to a successive Olympic podium for the first time in 52 years, Fulton has set his sights on broadening the player pool and preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Fulton’s first major test as India coach was the 2023 World Cup, where India failed to reach the quarter-finals. However, he redeemed himself with the Paris bronze and helped India beat Australia at the Olympics for the first time in 52 years. Last month, India reinforced their position as the best team in Asia under Fulton’s guidance.
Now, Fulton is focused on identifying a virtual U-25 team for the next two Olympic cycles. He intends to take U-25 boys to Europe in November-December to give the seniors a break. Fulton believes that the revamped Hockey India League (HIL) will provide an opportunity to build a larger pool of players.
Despite the pressure and expectations that come with the India job, Fulton remains focused on his goals. “The expectations are bigger now. It shows we’re on track,” he said. “But expectation brings focus. I don’t like to call it pressure, I like to call it focus.”
