'Our first priority is fitness' - Sjoerd Marijne sets roadmap for Indian Women’s Hockey ahead of Asian Games 2026
(Courtesy : Hockey India)
The current training camp initially had 49 players, which was later reduced to 29 after selection trials by Hockey India.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, who returned to the women’s programme in December 2025 after a four-year hiatus, has underlined that his immediate focus is well defined.
With an eye on the major assignments in the Los Angeles Olympic cycle, the Dutchman has emphasised the importance of building strong team chemistry while also raising fitness standards across the squad.
“Our first priority right now is fitness, which is a very important aspect for us. Alongside that, the focus is on coming together and functioning as a strong unit,” Marijne told SAI. “From there on, we can work on all the other things like techniques.”
The women’s team has their eyes firm on the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Hyderabad from March 8–14, Asian Games 2026, and upcoming major competitions in the broader LA 2028 Olympic cycle.
Marijne, under whose guidance the Indian women’s team achieved a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, swiftly took charge of the ongoing national coaching camp at the Sports Authority of India’s regional centre in Bengaluru, which runs until February 18.
The camp initially featured 49 players—43 seniors and six juniors—before the group was trimmed to 29 following selection trials conducted by Hockey India.
Looking back at the last few weeks of training with the Indian team, Marijne mentioned, “We are still getting to know each other. While I am familiar with a few of the players from before, not everyone is known to me yet. It is important for us to work at an individual level and understand what is best for each player.
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We are receiving strong support from the strength and conditioning coaches, who are playing a key role in guiding this process,” the Dutchman explained.
“Right now, the most important thing is managing the players’ bodies and overall fitness. The tactical framework is already clear, and that is not what will make the difference at this stage. We are working together towards a common goal, and that is precisely why I decided to return,” he added.
Who is the current Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team?
Sjoerd Marijne is the current Chief Coach of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team. He returned to the role in December 2025 after a four-year break.
What is Sjoerd Marijne’s main focus after returning as coach?
His primary focus is improving players’ fitness and building strong team chemistry before working on technical aspects.
Which major tournaments is the Indian women’s team preparing for?
The team is preparing for the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Hyderabad (March 8–14, 2026), the Asian Games 2026, and other key events leading up to the LA 2028 Olympics.
Where is the current national coaching camp being held?
The camp is being conducted at the Sports Authority of India’s regional centre in Bengaluru and runs until February 18, 2026.
How many players are part of the current training camp?
The camp initially had 49 players, which was later reduced to 29 after selection trials by Hockey India.
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Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. He is covering sports tech, igaming, sports betting and casino domain from 2017.