Singh sends his deputies to HK's aid
Robin Singh will have his hand on the tiller by remote control when Hong Kong attempt to move closer to qualifying for the 2011 World Cup at the ICC World Cricket League Division Three tournament in Darwin next month.
Although Singh will not be around to coach Hong Kong - he will be with India on their tour of Bangladesh - the Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) has decided to go with his recommendations to let a couple of his deputies from his coaching school in Chennai handle the team in his place.
'Robin has recommended that his deputy, Peter Fernandez, take charge in his absence. We have agreed to this as an interim measure. It is a one-off arrangement and we will decide after Darwin what to do in the long run,' HKCA secretary John Cribbin said yesterday. 'Robin's future will be clearer after the Bangladesh tour. We, too, will know by then where Hong Kong stands and whether we have qualified for Division Two. In the best interests of everyone, we have decided to take this stop-gap measure,' Cribbin added.
Hong Kong's build-up to the eight-team Darwin tournament was thrown into confusion when it was announced Singh would take up a new position as fielding coach with the Indian national side. Singh was then approached to take over as fielding coach for the Bangladesh tour, which clashes with Hong Kong's visit to Darwin from May 27-June 2. Singh agreed, but as he is uncertain whether he will be involved with the Indian set-up on a long-term basis, he still wanted to hold on to his Hong Kong commitments. It is believed the HKCA pays the Chennai-based Singh US$60,000 - for spending 110 days a year with the team.
'His contract will be reviewed in November. By then the picture will be clearer all round,' Cribbin said.
Hong Kong have to finish in the top two in Darwin to qualify for the ICC WCL Division Two tournament to be played in Namibia in November.
