Janneke Schopman, head coach of the Indian womens hockey team, has resigned from her position. She cited a lack of value and respect and alleged preferential treatment towards the mens team by Hockey India (HI).Janneke Schopman resigns as Chief Coach of the Indian Womens Hockey Team, today.(file pic) pic.twitter.com/qLLpMSWAj7— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2024Hockey India confirms Schopmans resginationIn a media release, Hockey India said, The Dutch coach submitted her resignation to Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey after the conclusion of the Indian Womens Hockey Teams outing in the home leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Odisha.Schopmans resignation brings an end to a tumultuous period that began with the teams failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Following the tournament, it sparked criticism towards the Dutch coach, who took over after the Tokyo Olympics where the team finished fourth.Schopman felt UndervaluedThe tipping point seemed to be a recent interaction with the media, where the emotional Schopman expressed feeling alone and not valued within the Indian hockey setup. She specifically pointed to differences in treatment between herself and the mens coach, as well as between the womens and mens teams in general.Schopmans tenure, which began in 2021, saw the team win 38 of 74 matches, draw 17, and lose 19. The Asian Champions Trophy gold medal in 2022 was a highlight of her tenure, but the Olympic qualification failures ultimately cast a shadow over her time in charge.What nextThe search for a new coach to lead the womens team toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will now begin, amidst lingering questions about the concerns raised by Schopman regarding equality and support within the organization.
