Dutch Coach Sjoerd Marijne Returns to Lead Indian Women's Hockey Team to World Cup Glory

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In a significant move, Hockey India (HI) has appointed Sjoerd Marijne as the new head coach of the Indian women's hockey team, marking his return to the Indian setup. The Dutchman replaces Harendra Singh, who stepped down last month due to personal reasons. Marijne returns to India with a rich experience, having led the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. He will be supported by Matias Vila, an Argentine analytical coach with over two decades of coaching experience, including stints at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics. The Indian women's hockey team will also benefit from the expertise of Wayne Lombard, a seasoned scientific advisor and head of athletic performance, who has previously worked with the team between 2017 and 2021. Lombard's team will include Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila as scientific advisors. Marijne expressed his enthusiasm about returning to India, saying, "I'm back with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team's growth and help the players achieve their full potential." The team's first major challenge will be the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad from March 8-14. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey welcomed Marijne and the support staff, thanking the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) for expediting the appointment. Tirkey emphasized the importance of the team's fitness, which played a key role in their historic performance in Tokyo. Marijne is set to arrive in India on January 14, with the national coaching camp scheduled to begin on January 19 in SAI, Bengaluru. The team is now focused on preparing for the World Cup Qualifiers, with the new coaching staff aiming to build on the team's momentum and achieve success on the world stage.