After outburst, Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Janneke Schopman’s days numbered?

New Delhi, February 19

Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Janneke Schopman’s days are numbered as she is unlikely to get an extension after her contract expires in July for failing to produce results, including the side’s failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Schopman, who was the analytical coach at the Tokyo Olympics, took over the reins after Sjoerd Marijne’s departure just after the quadrennial event.

“Her contract ends in July-August (till the Olympics). Let us see what happens, I can’t tell anything at this point of time,” a Hockey India source said.

It is, however, learnt that Schopman is unlikely to get an extension. Under Schopman, India won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and last year’s Asian Games.

Schopman’s relationship with HI secretary general Bholanath Singh soured after the team failed to qualify for the Paris Games. It became worse after her outburst in the media following India’s last FIH Pro League game at home against USA. Schopman claimed that she didn’t get the respect from some quarters of the national federation.

Schopman, an Olympics gold medallist, also claimed that she felt “alone a lot in the last two years”, and was critical of the differential treatment meted out to the women’s team compared to the men’s side.

Hockey India, however, completely denied the allegations, stating that she was provided everything that she wanted.

“I don’t know why she is saying these things. There is no discrimination in Hockey India. We treat both the men’s and women’s teams equally,” the HI source said. “Neither Hockey India not the Sports Authority of India has treated her badly. We have always given due respect and recognition to her.”

Schopman’s next assignment is the European leg of the Pro League in May.