Mumbai, Dec 2 : Former captain Viren Rasquinha is delighted to see the transformation in the country's hockey for the better with retired players joining the coaching setup to share their knowledge and experience with the next generation.

The 44-year-old also opened up on the reasons behind the interest among former players in coaching roles. Many former Indian hockey players have now taken up the responsibility to train the young and future generation towards glory, after dedicating years to the sport as players. Mercurial India striker and now assistant coach Shivendra Singh is currently with the Indian men’s hockey team, the recently retired PR Sreejesh has already been appointed as the coach of the junior Indian men’s hockey team.

With the return of the Hockey India League set to embark in December, former Indian captains Sardar Singh and Rani Rampal will also be coaching the Soorma Hockey Club in the tournament. As per Rasquina, this is the best way to give back to the sport and country.

“I think as former players, the best way we can give back to the country is not pushing files in some offices. It is actually going back to the field and sharing our wealth of knowledge and experience with young upcoming athletes to ensure that the mistakes that were made during our playing careers are not being repeated by the next generation. I am really happy to see that we need more and more opportunities because honestly in every sport, we need a thousand good quality coaches at the grassroots level to teach our talented young brigade,” he said on the 'House of Glory' podcast launched by Indian shooting legend Gagan Narang.

The Olympian also discussed the need to upgrade the Indian coaching sector by including sports sciences, so that India is not left behind in international competitions. Rasquinha further said that India could increase their medal tally at the Olympics with the involvement of technology in coaching efforts.