On 2 January 2025, Sjoerd Marijne has been appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, as announced by Hockey India. The experienced Dutch coach previously guided the Indian women’s team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, marking only their second Olympic appearance in over 36 years and their best-ever performance at the Games.
Marijne’s first major assignment in his new role will be the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from 8 to 14 March. These qualifiers are crucial for India’s bid to secure a place in the upcoming Women’s Hockey World Cup. He is set to arrive in India on 14 January, ahead of the National Coaching Camp, which will commence on 19 January at SAI, Bengaluru.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India for facilitating the timely appointment. The move is aimed at ensuring optimal preparation and continuity as the Indian women’s hockey team gears up for key international competitions.
