Sjoerd Marijne: Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne was reappointed as the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team on Friday. He will take up the position for the second time. Under his previous tenure, the Indian women’s team had finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The 51-year-old former Dutch hockey player Marijne was associated with the Indian women’s team from 2017 to 2021. Matthias Willa will also be part of his team, appointed as the analytical coach.
Former Argentine midfielder Villa made his international hockey debut in 1997. He represented his country at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and the Athens Olympics in 2004. He has been involved in coaching for more than two decades. Wayne Lombard is also making a return to the Indian hockey team, where he will serve as Scientific Advisor and Head of Sports Performance. He will be assisted by Rodet Ila and Ciara Ila, who have been appointed as Scientific Advisors.
Sjoerd Marijne: Return of the Tokyo Olympics coach, Sjoerd Marijne once again entrusted with the responsibility of the Indian women’s hockey team
Sjoerd Marijne said in a Hockey India statement that it feels great to be back in India. “I have returned to this position after four and a half years with new energy and a clear vision, so I can make a significant contribution to moving the team forward and help the players perform to their full potential on the world stage,” he said. During Marijne’s previous tenure, India was ranked among the top 10 in the world. His first major challenge as head coach will be the Women’s World Cup Qualifier tournament, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14.
Sjoerd Marijne will arrive in India on January 14, while the national coaching camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility in Bengaluru will begin on January 19. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said, “We welcome Sjoerd Marijne and the entire support staff to the Indian hockey family. We express our gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Authority of India for expediting the appointment process, keeping the upcoming World Cup Qualifier in mind. Special emphasis has been placed on the team’s fitness, which was one of the key factors behind the Indian women’s team’s historic performance in Tokyo. We expect the team to deliver strong performances.
