New Delhi, 2 January 2026: The coach who guided the Indian women’s team into the semifinal of an Olympics in 2021 is back in the hot seat once again. Hockey India on Friday announced the return of Sjoerd Marijne as Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, marking a significant chapter in the sport’s recent history. Born on 20 April 1974, the Dutchman resumes charge nearly four-and-a-half years after guiding India to their most memorable Olympic performance at the Tokyo Games, where they defeated mighty Australia in the quarterfinal, to make a historic maiden entry in the semifinal.
Marijne’s appointment brings back a familiar figure whose tenure from 2017 to 2021 transformed Indian women’s hockey. Under his leadership, the team broke long-standing barriers, rising steadily in the world rankings and entering the top 10 for the first time. His crowning achievement came at the Tokyo Olympic Games, where India finished fourth—just missing out on a medal in only their second Olympic appearance in over 36 years.
The Dutch coach will be supported by a renewed backroom team. Former Argentina international Matias Vila joins as Analytical Coach. A midfielder who represented Argentina at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Athens 2004 Olympics, Vila brings close to two decades of coaching experience and deep tactical insight.
Also returning to the Indian setup is Wayne Lombard, who takes charge as Scientific Advisor and Head of Athletic Performance. Lombard’s role will be crucial as India sharpens its physical conditioning ahead of a packed international calendar. He will be supported by Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila, both appointed as Scientific Advisors. India’s narrow 3-4 loss to England in the semifinals is still a big ‘regret’.
Reflecting on his return, Marijne said he was eager to reconnect with the team and resume the unfinished journey. “It’s great to be back. After 4.5 years, I return with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team’s growth and help the players achieve their full potential on the world stage,” he said.
Marijne’s first major assignment will be the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana, from March 8 to 14, 2026. He is set to arrive in India on January 14, with the national coaching camp commencing on January 19 at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru.
Welcoming the appointment, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said the federation was pleased to reunite with a coach who understands the team’s core strengths. He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and SAI in fast-tracking the process to ensure uninterrupted preparations. Emphasis on fitness, he noted, was one of the pillars behind India’s historic Tokyo run.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Marijne’s familiarity with the squad. “Many players in the core group have already played under him. With major events like the Asian Games and the World Cup Qualifiers ahead, we expect the team to build on that continuity and perform with confidence,” he said.
At the Tokyo Olympics, India entered the tournament ranked eighth in the world and were not considered serious contenders. The team endured a difficult start, suffering consecutive group-stage losses to the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain. However, a spirited turnaround followed, with victories over Ireland and South Africa sealing a quarterfinal berth. India then stunned World No. 3 Australia in the quarters before narrowly losing to Argentina in the semifinals. A closely fought bronze medal match against Great Britain ended in heartbreak, but the fourth-place finish was widely hailed as a watershed moment for Indian women’s hockey.
Following the Tokyo campaign, Marijne stepped down on August 6, 2021, citing the need to spend more time with his family. His return now signals renewed ambition as India looks to convert promise into podium finishes on the global stage.
With Sjoerd Marijne back at the helm, Indian women’s hockey begins another phase, rooted in belief, fitness, and tactical clarity, but only time will tell if his second innings can relaunch the campaign for a medal at the world stage.
