Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton joins Indian men's hockey team for Olympics

In preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, Hockey India has enlisted the expertise of renowned South African mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton to assist the men's national hockey team.

Upton, credited for his role in India's victory at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, will be part of the support staff during the Olympics.

The announcement comes after India secured gold medals at the Asian Champions Trophy and Asian Games, with Upton playing a pivotal role in the team's mental conditioning. Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton confirmed Upton's involvement, emphasizing the strategic utilization of his services.

"We have Paddy Upton; he will be with us in Australia (for the Test series). We will be using him wisely. For sure, he will be there for the Olympics with us," stated Fulton.

Acknowledging India's current world ranking at fourth, Fulton expressed that the team is yet to reach its peak, emphasizing the developmental phase they are undergoing in preparation for the Olympics.

"We are in a development phase with the squad. We are trying to create some depth in different positions. That's important to do now because it really counts in crunch matches in the Olympics," Fulton explained.

Reflecting on India's recent home campaign in the FIH Pro League, Fulton noted a mix of satisfaction and disappointment, highlighting key areas for improvement. The upcoming Australia tour is deemed crucial for the team, focusing on defensive strength and offensive improvements.

"Now we are in Bhubaneswar for the next three weeks for training, and then we go to Australia for five Test matches, and that's really important. We are not changing a lot, just focusing on getting better and consistent," Fulton remarked.

The Indian team is scheduled to tour Australia from April 2 to 15 for a five-Test series in Perth, gearing up for the challenges ahead in their Olympic campaign.