Following the incredible run of the Indian women's hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics, coach Sjoerd Marijne made a shocking announcement.
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With Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne in-charge, very few believed that he was going to take this team to the next level. However, the surreal progress that the Indian women’s hockey team has made is inspiring. From finishing last at the 2016 Rio Olympics to barely making the qualification cut for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Rani Rampal-led women’s side has scripted a fairytale story at the ongoing Games in Tokyo.
Entering the Tokyo Olympics as underdogs, his underrated team went on to create history. They finished fourth, their best-ever performance. To be honest, the bronze medal was only a whisker away from their reach. As the final whistle blew after the Indian team’s match against Great Britain for the bronze, the tears were quick to burst. Rightly so, the Indian girls gave it everything. On the sidelines, Coach Sjoerd Marijne also battled tears. An overly emotional audience watched this near-miss story unfold at the Oi Hockey Stadium. However, little did they or anyone know this was the last time they were seeing Marijne on the field with the Indian girls.
Hours later in a press conference, the Dutchman made a shocking announcement. His decision left Indian hockey fans feeling gutted. “This will be my last match with the Indian women’s hockey team,” said coach Sjoerd Marijne
We did not win a medal, but I think we have won something bigger. We have made Indians proud again and we inspired millions of girls that dreams CAN come true as long as you work hard for it and believe it! Thanks for all the support! ??
— Sjoerd Marijne (@SjoerdMarijne) August 6, 2021
Ever so inspirational, Coach Sjoerd Marijne deserves a major chunk of the credit for leading the Indian girls to where they did in Tokyo, while taking on the very best and giving them a taste of their own medicines. Extremly passionate about the sport, Marijne stayed rock solid by the side of his girls and kept on pushing them forward. He made them believe, that the sky is their only limit. With this shock announcement, especially after the spectacular show put up by the Indian girls in Tokyo, hockey fans are left feeling at a loss.
