Indian hockey women's team coach Janneke Schopman resigns after differential treatment remark

The Indian women's hockey team head coach Janneke Schopman has resigned days after speaking against the treatment she received from Hockey India. Schopman recently said that she felt that is not 'valued and respected' by her Hockey India employers and felt 'alone for the last two years'.

Hockey India confirmed her resignation through a statement. "Janneke Schopman, Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, resigned from her post today. The Dutch coach submitted her resignation to Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr Dilip Tirkey after the conclusion of Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s outing in the home leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Odisha," the Indian body said in a statement.

The governing body of the sport in



India said that it would be looking for a new coach to help the team prepare for the  Women’s World Cup 2026 and Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

 

"She had taken over the reins from former Chief Coach Sjoerd Marine under whose tutelage India finished in a historic fourth position at the Tokyo Olympics. At the back of the disappointment at the recent Olympic Qualifiers, her resignation has paved the way for Hockey India to look for a suitable Chief Coach for the Women’s Hockey Team who could prepare the Indian Team for the next Women’s World Cup in 2026 and Los Angeles Olympics 2028. It is time to begin a fresh chapter in Indian women’s hockey with the players progress being at the centre of our focus," Hockey India further added.