Indian Women’s Hockey Team Head Coach Janneke Schopman lashes out at Hockey India administrators, accusing them of not valuing her and not showing any form of respect. Lamenting that ‘this country is extremely difficult for a woman’, the first female to coach the Indian hockey team broke down as she opened up about the day-to-day challenges she has faced in her two-and-a-half years in the job.

Janneke Schopman’s shocking allegations against Hockey India

An Olympic Gold medalist, Janneke Schopman made the comments moments after India’s victory over the USA via tie-breakers in an FIH Pro League at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Sunday.

Talking about dealing with officials in Hockey India, Schopman said, “Very hard, very hard. Because, you know, I come from a culture where women are respected and valued. I don’t feel that here.”

When asked about her future with the team, which failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics after finishing fourth in Tokyo three years ago, Schopman replied, “Maybe, even though I know it’s tough. But like I said, I love the girls and I see so much potential. But it is very hard for me as an individual.”

Schopman came to India in January 2020 as an analytical coach on the staff of then-chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. From that moment on, Schopman said she didn’t feel valued by those running the sport.

“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,” she said.

Marijne left soon after the Tokyo Olympics and, as per the succession plan designed at the time, Schopman – who was earlier the USA coach – took over. Even then, her opinions weren’t valued, she claimed and added she didn’t get much support.

“I look at the difference at 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 shouldn’t speak for them so I won’t. I love them and I think they work so hard, they do what I ask, they wanna learn, wanna do new things,” Schopman said. “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.”

Asked what was the hardest bit, she said, “The fact that I feel – I don’t even know if it’s true – that I am not taken seriously.” When prodded further and asked if it was from people in Hockey India, Schopman nodded affirmatively.

Schopman’s future has been a part of speculation ever since India failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics in January. Her contract was till the Games in July-August and India’s next assignment, as per the calendar, is the European leg of the Pro League in May.

Schopman said whether she continues depends on whether the players want her, the federation is keen to keep her on board, and if she ‘wants to be there’. “For me, what’s important is that ‘can I do the job myself’ but also, do I get the support that I need? Like I said, the girls are amazing. If the support is there for them, then I do think the Indian women’s team has a bright future.”

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