Minutes after the Indian women’s team’s Olympic qualification hopes ended, the first thought for most people was about the future of coach Janneke Schopman. It might seem premature but that’s how it has been in Indian hockey — Graham Reid had sent in his resignation the day the 2023 men’s World Cup finished.
While Schopman herself was non-committal — “I don’t know” was all she said when asked about her future — Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey took a more balanced view.
“I can’t say anything right now, it’s too fresh. But we will look at the future plans and talk to everyone concerned — the federation, coaches, players and the selectors — and then decide. But the development plan will continue on this path. For us, women are as much a priority as the men. There is an important tournament every two years, so we need to keep that in mind,” Tirkey said.
