Sjoerd Marijne Returns as Coach of Indian Women’s Hockey Team

The Indian women’s hockey team has received a major boost with the appointment of an experienced international coach. The return of a familiar face is expected to strengthen team preparation and performance in upcoming global tournaments. This move comes at a crucial time as India prepares for important international qualifiers, aiming to build on past successes and secure a place on the world stage.

Why in the News?

Hockey India has announced the appointment of Sjoerd Marijne as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. His appointment is significant as India prepares for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers scheduled in March.

Who is Sjoerd Marijne?

• Sjoerd Marijne is a well-known Dutch hockey coach with strong international experience.
• He previously coached the Indian women’s hockey team and guided them to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• This was India’s best-ever performance in women’s hockey at the Olympics and came after a gap of over 36 years since their earlier Olympic appearance.
• His understanding of Indian players and conditions makes his return especially valuable.

Upcoming Challenges for the Team

• Marijne’s first major assignment will be the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from 8 to 14 March.
• These matches are crucial for securing India’s place in the upcoming World Cup.
• He is expected to arrive in India on 14 January, while the National Coaching Camp will begin on 19 January at SAI, Bengaluru, focusing on fitness, tactics, and team coordination.

Support from Hockey Administration

• The appointment has been welcomed by the hockey administration. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, thanked the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for speeding up the process.
• Their support ensures that the team gets enough preparation time before the qualifiers, highlighting the government’s focus on strengthening India’s performance in international sports events.

Key Summary At Glance

Question

Q. Who has been appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team?

A) Graham Reid
B) Janneke Schopman
C) Sjoerd Marijne
D) Roelant Oltmans