FIH Olympic qualifiers | Paris dreams over, questions remain over coach Janneke Schopman’s future

In the aftermath of the Indian women's team's dashed hopes for Olympic qualification, the spotlight has shifted to the future of coach Janneke Schopman. This swift attention to coaching personnel changes mirrors a pattern seen in Indian hockey, where Graham Reid resigned immediately after the conclusion of the 2023 men's World Cup.

While Coach Schopman remained non-committal about her future, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey took a measured stance. "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," Tirkey stated. He emphasized the ongoing commitment to the development plan, asserting that both men's and women's teams are equally prioritized. With important tournaments occurring every two years, a thoughtful and comprehensive approach will be taken in decision-making.

Despite the disappointment, Tirkey expressed confidence in the coach, citing recent successes. "We have no major concerns about the coach. If you see the way the team is playing, we have done well in recent times," Tirkey said, highlighting achievements such as winning bronze at the Asian Games and securing victory in the Asian Champions Trophy. The president also pointed out convincing victories over Japan in both tournaments, underscoring the team's positive trajectory despite the setback in Olympic qualification.