Sjoerd Marijne of the Netherlands reappointed as head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. Marijne returns to lead the team ahead of the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026.
The Indian women’s hockey team has welcomed back Sjoerd Marijne of the Netherlands as its head coach, marking his return after four years. Marijne previously led the team from 2017 to 2021 and was instrumental in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, where the women in blue narrowly missed a medal after defeating Australia in the group stages.
Sjoerd Marijne will be joined by Matias Vila as the analytical coach. Vila, a former Argentine midfielder, made his international debut in 1997 and represented Argentina at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics. With over two decades of coaching experience, Vila is expected to provide strategic insights to strengthen the Indian team’s performance.
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Marijne Excited to Return
Speaking about his reappointment, Sjoerd Marijne expressed enthusiasm about returning to India with a fresh vision. “It’s great to be back. After 4.5 years, I return with new energy and a clear plan to support the team’s growth and help players achieve their full potential on the global stage,” he said.
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey welcomed the appointment and extended gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for expediting the process. “Fitness has been a key focus, contributing to the team’s historic Tokyo performance. We look forward to a productive stint under Marijne and the support staff,” he said.
Upcoming Assignments
Sjoerd Marijne’s first task as head coach will be the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled from March 8 to 14 in Hyderabad, Telangana. He is expected to arrive in India on January 14, with the National Coaching Camp set to begin on January 19 at SAI, Bengaluru. The coaching camp will focus on fitness, tactical drills, and player development to ensure the team is well-prepared for the global qualifiers.
With Sjoerd Marijne’s return, expectations are high for the Indian women’s hockey team as it aims to build on its Olympic success and make a strong impact in the upcoming international tournaments.
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