New Delhi, Feb 24:
Days after criticising Hockey India for the preferential treatment meted out to the men’s national teams, India’s women’s hockey team coach Janneke Schopman put down her papers.
Schopman’s resignation is yet to be accepted by Hockey India.
Official sources confirmed that the India women’s coach sent in her resignation to Hockey India. The expiry of Schopman’s tenure ends in August this year.
“She made her intentions clear to HI that she doesn’t want to continue anymore and she has sent her resignation. In all likelihood, it is going to be accepted,” said an official in the know.
This brings to an end the sour tale that began after Team India failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Last week, Schopmam broke down in a presser after India’s Pro League match against the US, complaining that she doesn’t feel valued and respected.
“I felt alone a lot in the last two years. It has been tough. Because I come from a culture where women are respected and valued. I don’t feel that here.
Schopman also said, “I look at the difference at how men’s coaches are treated between me and the men’s coach, or the girls and the men’s team, just in general.” India lost opportunities of qualifying coming their way in the Asian Games and then at FIH Olympic qualifiers in Ranchi where the team lost 0-1 to Japan in a third-fourth place match.
Criticism poured upon Schopman thereafter. She had taken over the charge from Sjoerd Marijne after the team had finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics. She was then the analytical coach.
Under her aegis, Team India won 38 matches out of 74, drew 17 and lost 19. The highest achievement of the team was when they won gold in the Asian Champions Trophy, but her bitter saga with Hockey India was perhaps the final blow.
