(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Kalinga Lancers have boosted their lineup for the upcoming Hockey India League season by hiring Belgian coach Pascal Kina as their new Technical and Strategy Coach. This move comes as the team revamps its staff, with Australian hockey star Jay Stacy stepping in as Head Coach.
At 57, Kina brings more than 20 years of experience coaching elite teams around the world. He’s the father of Antoine Kina, who won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2018 World Cup. Kina’s career highlights include serving as Assistant Coach for Belgium’s men’s team from 1998 to 2007. He then led Belgium’s women’s team as Head Coach through the London 2012 Olympics and stayed in the role until 2015. Later, he guided Canada’s women’s team and assisted South Africa’s women’s squad at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
On the club side in Belgium, Kina has racked up wins as Head Coach of Waterloo Ducks Hockey Club. He later joined Gantoise HC, where he coached both men’s and women’s teams to big successes. His latest triumphs? Leading Gantoise HC to the Euro Hockey League FINAL8 Men 2025 title and clinching a third straight Belgian Hockey League championship. Just recently, he was Assistant Coach for Belgium’s men’s team at the EuroHockey Championships 2025 in Monchengladbach.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, welcomed Kina warmly. “We’re thrilled to have Pascal Kina join the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers family,” Kumar said. “His deep international and club coaching background, plus his winning record, makes him a perfect fit. Working with Head Coach Jay Stacy, Pascal will help build a tough squad and sharpen our tactics and skills.”
Kina shared his excitement too. “I’m pumped to step in as Technical and Strategy Coach for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers,” he said. “Coming to India to work with this great Odisha-based franchise, where hockey passion runs strong, is an amazing chance. I can’t wait to team up with Jay Stacy and the players to create a competitive side for the new season. The player auction has me eager to dive right in.”
The Kalinga Lancers ended last season in sixth place in the revamped Hockey India League. They notched four wins and six losses across 10 matches, setting the stage for a stronger push ahead.
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