The coach of India’s women’s hockey team, Janneke Schopman, has decided to resign from her position, and her contract, which was supposed to end after the Paris Olympics in August, will now conclude on March 23, 2024. Schopman expressed her gratitude towards the players and staff in her resignation letter and requested timely settlement of her outstanding dues, including salary and coach education fee.
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The decision comes after Schopman criticized Hockey India (HI) for what she perceived as preferential treatment towards the men’s national team. Despite HI officials stating that they provided all necessary facilities and support during her tenure, the disappointment of the women’s team not qualifying for the Paris Olympics seemed to have strained the relationship.
The women’s team faced two missed opportunities for Olympic qualification, first at the Asian Games and then at the FIH Olympic qualifiers in Ranchi, where they lost to Japan. The failure led to widespread criticism of Schopman and the team. Despite initial support from HI, Schopman’s recent outburst against the organization indicated her desire to step down.
During her tenure, Schopman faced controversy over excluding former captain Rani Rampal, who led the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics. Rampal spent three years on the sidelines, impacting the team’s performance. Under Schopman’s coaching, the Indian team achieved 38 wins in 74 matches, including a gold medal in the Nation’s Cup Asian Champions Trophy. However, the inability to qualify for the Olympics proved to be a significant setback.
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Hockey India, in response to Schopman’s resignation, mentioned that they will now look for a new chief coach to prepare the women’s hockey team for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The saga, marked by controversies and disappointments, concludes with the search for a new leader to guide the team in future endeavors.
