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India women's hockey team coach Janneke Schopman has accused the administrators of the sport in India of treating her differently, stating that she has felt isolated since taking on the role of head coach. Schopman, who previously won a Gold medal with the Netherlands women's team at the Beijing Olympics, expressed that her opinions have not been sufficiently respected during her tenure. Despite acknowledging support from Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, Schopman became emotional during a media interaction on February 18 following India's shootout victory against USA in an FIH Pro League match in Rourkela. In her tearful address, Schopman alleged that she has experienced differential treatment from various stakeholders within the sport.
I don't feel that here: Schopman
"Because I come from a culture where women are respected and valued. I don't feel that here. From not very many people – and I do feel people working here on the ground are amazing from Hockey India. But I feel it's so hard," Schopman said, as quoted by The New Indian Express.
"I look at the difference in how men's coaches are treated between me and the men's coach, or the girls and the men's team, just in general. They never complain and they work so hard. I am not saying, I don't know, I don't know why and I shouldn't speak for them so I won't.
"I love them. I think they work so hard, they do what I ask, they wanna learn, wanna do new things but for me personally coming from the Netherlands, having worked in the USA, this country is extremely difficult as a woman, coming from a culture where, yeah, you can have an opinion and it's valued. It's really hard," she added.
Schopman assumed the role of head coach in 2020
46-year-old Janneke Schopman assumed the role of head coach following India's fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics. Originally appointed as the analytical coach for the Indian women's hockey team in January 2020, she later transitioned to the head coach position after the Tokyo Olympics. Her promotion occurred after Sjoerd Marijne, the previous head coach, declined a contract extension, clearing the path for Schopman to assume leadership.
Under Schopman's guidance, the Indian women's hockey team has encountered a mix of highs and lows. Despite demonstrating resilience and skill on the global stage, the team suffered a major setback by failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics. This disappointment followed a series of notable achievements, including bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, a third-place finish in the 2021-22 Pro League, and securing the inaugural FIH Women's Nations Cup title in 2022.
Following the end of their Olympic aspirations during the FIH Olympic qualifier in Ranchi in January, the team under Schopman's coaching began a journey of recovery and introspection.
TO QUIT OR NOT
The ex-Dutch player expressed her difficulty with the lack of recognition of her viewpoints during her time as part of the support staff previously.
"Even when I was the assistant coach, some people wouldn't even look at me or wouldn't acknowledge me or wouldn't respond and then you become the chief coach and all of a sudden, people are interested in you. I struggled a lot with that. That is one thing," she added.
Schopman mentioned that she has not yet decided whether to continue as the coach of the senior women's team, but emphasised that the players are urging her to stay and lead them.
"I'm going to reflect, 'did I do a good enough job, yes or no?'. I need to ask that myself," she said.
"I have spoken to the players a little. I appreciate their opinion. They are the ones in charge. I think they need to want me to be there, that's the first decision. Also, I need to want to be there. Hockey India needs to want me to be there. At this point, I must say Dilip Tirkey has been very very supportive since the Asian Games and that, I have appreciated a lot. It's been tough for me, the team. I must say the support I haven't felt a lot in the last year so his support means a lot," she added.
Schopman went on to say that she has not yet decided whether to continue as the coach of the senior women's team, but emphasized that the players are urging her to stay and lead them.
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