Sjoerd Marijne: ‘We did something bigger than winning a medal, we created a legacy. Will be connected to India my whole life’

Marijne talks about being shuffled between groups, incomes the ladies’ belief and instructing them to “dream big”, describes the semi-final loss and telling them why “in a few days, they would see it differently”, and shares his plans a couple of e-book, and perhaps Chak De India 2. The session was moderated by Assistant Editor Mihir Vasavda.
MIHIR VASAVDA: You returned residence and began teaching a membership quickly after the Olympics. Do you miss being in India with the staff whereas the celebrations are happening, or have you ever settled into your new life?
It’s unusual. I selected to be with my household as a result of I hadn’t seen them for three-and-a-half months. That was the primary cause for coming again. The competitors in The Netherlands begins round September 11 or 12, and I’m teaching a membership staff so I additionally needed to be there. But it’s a bit like dwelling in two worlds. One world is India, the place the staff members are heroes of the nation. The ladies have completed so nicely, and there are loads of ceremonies… What occurs is you retain staying in that feeling, after which after all, you’re reminded of the Olympics. And whereas I’m now in The Netherlands, it feels completely different as a result of life goes on. It’s regular. My nation is completely different with these items, it’s not like India, there usually are not loads of ceremonies.
It’s typically powerful to regulate to such a state of affairs since you don’t need to lose the sensation that you simply had on the Olympics. The two days that I used to be in Delhi (after coming back from Tokyo) had been wonderful. Afterward perhaps — and I spoke to my spouse about this— it was higher to remain a bit bit longer in India. But at that second you solely need one factor and that’s simply going again to the household. It feels a bit like a two-way feeling.
MIHIR VASAVDA: How powerful is it to maneuver on, to return to the each day life after all of the emotional highs you skilled in Tokyo?
I’ll say now that, after four-and-a-half years, I’m used to good climate. On Tuesday, I used to be teaching my new staff within the rain. It is chilly, the summer season just isn’t actually good right here. Then you’re actually considering like okay, my life’s not going to be like this now. You usually are not going to be sporting shorts now, however an extended coaching package. That’s one thing completely different. I’m somebody who can adapt very quick.
The different factor was that for four-and-a-half years, I didn’t perceive what the ladies had been saying to one another, and likewise the boys. I don’t communicate and know all of the Hindi phrases. And now I perceive every little thing. So that’s additionally completely different and a pleasant change.
MIHIR VASAVDA: You took over the staff in 2017. How completely different was that staff from the one we noticed in Tokyo?
I didn’t know what to anticipate on the Olympics as a result of we didn’t play matches towards different good nations for 5 months. We performed in January and February towards Argentina and Germany. But it was virtually two years since we performed matches beneath stress, and that was the (Olympics) qualifiers. That’s why it was actually tough.
I get loads of compliments however you need to not overlook what the assist workers did. I wasn’t on my own. Janneke (Schopman, analytical coach) and Wayne (Lombard, power and conditioning coach) did a lot wonderful work. There had been ladies who didn’t imagine they may obtain one thing. They got here to the camps, they did their job — they’ve a job for a lifetime on the Railways or wherever else — and that’s effective. But they weren’t bold. I instructed them that they instantly have to be bold and have to set objectives. And that’s what we did. Making the place of the ladies higher was the dream purpose and I believe we achieved that purpose.
SANDEEP DWIVEDI: You have made issues simpler for the subsequent coach. After all this, how powerful was it to stroll away? Are there any regrets?
I don’t have any second ideas about coming again to India. You should not overlook that what occurred on the Olympics was the end result of four-and-a-half years of arduous work. Frustrations, feelings, positivity… all various things. Now every little thing seems prefer it went straightforward and easily, however that wasn’t the case.
I had moments after I actually missed my household and I didn’t know whether or not I might nonetheless do the job in India. Ending issues like that is excellent, however I didn’t overlook these moments. That is vital. And for the subsequent coach, I believe will probably be tougher as a result of the expectations are rising.
SANDEEP DWIVEDI: You completed fourth on the Olympics. Is there a reminiscence that you’ll carry with you from this task with the Indian staff, one thing that makes you are feeling that the journey was price it?
That second could be successful towards Australia. There had been 24 seconds to go and Neha had the ball with Navneet and the others. They knew that we’re going to win… It’s about that second… You see the four-and-a-half years flash earlier than your eyes. All issues that had occurred, the losses, the frustrations… We had a lot disappointment with the World Cup (in 2018), the qualifier. The ladies had been devastated and I used these experiences and instructed them, ‘Listen, do you want to go through those moments again? Do you want to feel it again because you know how painful it is.’ At the (Australia match) it lastly went in our favour; that was the second. We had been those who received and I didn’t have to inform the ladies issues like, ‘We were really close’ or ‘You really did well’. But no, we had been those who went into the semi-finals, we had been those who received the match. That second of pleasure, I’ll always remember.
DEVENDRA PANDEY: Was it powerful to get gamers to open up, particularly ladies who got here from distant components of the nation?
It was very tough. I’m the coach and in India, there’s loads of distance between a coach and the gamers. The distance is lesser in The Netherlands. It is simpler for a coach. The entire respect factor in India can also be superb however it didn’t work for us. They had been afraid to speak to me as a result of they thought I’d drop them in the event that they discuss their points. They felt I’d assume they don’t seem to be adequate.
It was a sluggish strategy of constructing their confidence and getting them to know that if you happen to come to me with questions or really feel you aren’t doing one thing proper, I’m there that will help you as a substitute of judging you. The second they realised that, they began coming to me and opened up progressively with every kind of issues, their points. I’m not a affected person man however ultimately, they opened up.
NITIN SHARMA: When you joined the ladies’s staff, what had been your first impressions of the staff, tactically and technically?
We had our match towards Belarus (in March 2017) and the very first thing I seen was that we weren’t match. And if health just isn’t good, it isn’t attainable to play good hockey, so that’s the place it began. The different factor that I noticed was loads of technical errors. Decisions made on the pitch… I’d assume, ‘Why are you doing this? I don’t actually see the explanation why you’re doing this.’ From there on I began making a plan on how I wished to see the staff within the Olympics. And we labored from that plan backward.
TUSHAR BHADURI: How did you cope with administrative points linked to the federation, SAI (Sports Authority of India), Sports Ministry?
I’m solely involved in regards to the issues I can management. There is so much administration-wise that I can’t management. (Former India coach) Roelant Oltmans instructed me the second I arrived, ‘Listen Sjoerd, these things can happen and you just have to let it go. You can worry about it but it will create a lot of frustration, and that’s what it’s important to keep away from.’ I’m not saying it was at all times straightforward however that’s what I at all times stored in the back of my thoughts. I additionally knew that I wished to do higher and that it was not at all times working. Let’s say I had some difficult moments…
TUSHAR BHADURI: Was the way during which you had been shuffled between the boys’s and ladies’s groups tough to cope with?
I mentioned this to the ladies as nicely. I’ve to have the ability to look within the mirror and say, ‘I did everything I could. I put all my energy and time in it.’ In this case, I used to be very stunned, as a result of if you happen to see these 9 months, we didn’t do nicely on the Commonwealth Games, however the remainder of the time we did rather well. As I mentioned, the Asia Cup was the final match the boys received. For me, I felt like I couldn’t take it (the choice to be shifted) severely. If that is taking place, it may possibly’t be critical.
TUSHAR BHADURI: Do you are feeling it’s best to have been consulted earlier than being shunted round?
I believe it’s best to at all times communicate with the coach. I used to be on vacation after I acquired a telephone name saying that I wasn’t the coach for the boys’s staff anymore. I used to be then requested whether or not I wished to proceed with the ladies’s staff. When I look again now, it sounds humorous.
MIHIR VASAVDA: You have seen Indian hockey from each side, the boys’s in addition to the ladies’s groups. In phrases of the assist that they get, is there a distinction between the groups?
There is an enormous distinction, however SAI supplied the instruments we wished. So that was not a difficulty. It’s extra about collaborating within the Pro League, organising tournaments in your personal nation… The males are ranked larger as a result of tournaments are organised for them each time. For occasion, the ladies didn’t qualify for the World League in New Zealand and the boys didn’t both. I simply hope Hockey India and Odisha can organise extra tournaments for ladies. Maybe the Pro League as a result of that’s what the ladies want.
SRIRAM VEERA: When you rejoined the ladies’s staff, Savita Punia mentioned that they favored having you again. Can you inform us about that change?
It was an excellent second as a result of it made me really feel like they wished me again. I used to be with the ladies for 9 months so it felt like being again residence. They had made good progress with Wayne Lombard and their health had actually improved. I might proceed with the plans I had for the ladies’s staff and I felt good about coming residence.
SRIRAM VEERA: What did you make of studies about Vandana Katariya’s home being attacked and the way did it have an effect on the staff?
The most vital factor is that we weren’t utilizing social media. I didn’t speak to her about it then as a result of I didn’t know if she had seen it. They had been hardly utilizing their telephones as a result of there was a strict rule on the Olympics. After the final match, I spoke to her and he or she mentioned she knew (about it), however blocked it out and continued. That’s the way in which these ladies have been skilled. It’s like troopers who’re skilled to enter the battlefield. The issues that occur again residence, it’s important to shut your ears to it. You have to dam it and that’s the way in which it’s. After the battle, you see the feelings coming. But the issue was solved. They solved it rather well and actually quick. The police and Rani (Rampal, captain) did rather well within the state of affairs, as it’s about management.
SANDEEP DWIVEDI: What does India doing nicely on the Olympics imply for worldwide hockey? How does the world see Indian hockey post-Olympics?
The advantage of India is that Indians are in all places on this planet. I obtain messages from all around the world. I believe that can also be an excellent factor as a result of the recognition of hockey has elevated with this. I believe that the FIH (International Hockey Federation) is absolutely glad about what occurred, as a result of I don’t assume now we have to fret about our Olympic standing for the next years… if you would like one million folks watching these matches… I’m curious in regards to the variety of spectators watching these matches. I believe they (the FIH) are actually glad. And it’s additionally good for ladies’s hockey, that like different nations we additionally really feel, ‘Whoa! we can do this’.
SANDEEP DWIVEDI: Do you at occasions simply take into consideration what you’ve got completed for the sport in India and what it means? Has it sunk in but?
Yes, as a result of I don’t need to overlook this. For me, they’re essentially the most stunning moments. And the reason being that we created a legacy. We did one thing larger than successful a medal. The longer we’re away from the match, the longer it’s behind us, the extra we realise what now we have modified. And that’s one thing large. I’m proud to be a part of that as a result of that’s what I at all times dreamed of. I by no means dreamed about successful medals. I by no means dreamed about what folks say, about awards and about cash. I solely dreamed about one factor. And that’s doing one thing that no one has completed earlier than and making a legacy that you’ll at all times be remembered for. That’s why I’ll at all times, for my entire life, be linked with India.
SANDEEP DWIVEDI: I’m positive you’ve got been requested a number of occasions about Chak De India, the Hindi movie. You additionally had a social media dialog with Shah Rukh Khan. Do you anticipate a sequel to the movie in your journey? Have you been approached by folks?
As lengthy as I don’t must play myself, I shall be effective. I’m writing a e-book. The final chapter is sort of completed. I can’t await it to be printed and everyone can learn all of the issues that basically occurred to me for the final four-and-a-half years as coach. Also, I need to share precious classes for private life, personal life and likewise for company life. Maybe one factor results in one other. If the e-book results in a film, I’d be honoured. It could be good to have a Chak de India 2, sure. It received’t shock me if folks come for that. But I’m not specializing in that in the intervening time. First let the e-book get printed, after which let’s see. I simply hope folks prefer it… What I noticed after I arrived in India, how did I do the entire thing from 2017 to the Olympics… It’s an thrilling story and I’m glad to share it.
SHIVANI NAIK: How do you prepare an Indian girl participant to be bold and to not be content material?
The factor is, as a participant, you solely have 10-12 years on the highest stage and I at all times requested them, what do you need to be remembered as? Do you need to be remembered as being 10 years in camps and never successful something? Or do you need to be remembered in one other means? Because after this, you’re going to work or have kids or anything. So why don’t you dream large? And that’s one thing that I’ve taught the ladies, to dream large. What is your dream purpose that may encourage different ladies. And how can we make that occur? Like successful a medal. It’s not about successful a medal however the medal helps to realize that dream purpose. It’s always taking them out of their consolation zone.
NITIN SHARMA: How did you deal with the staff put up the slim loss within the semi-finals after they had been on the sphere crying?
Initially, I mentioned, ‘There are no words that will help take away how you feel. I have no words for that. You have to feel it. That’s sport.’ But I additionally instructed them that in a number of days you’ll assume in another way about this. You shall be happy with what you’ve got achieved. I instructed them you don’t know this since you are away from social media however the entire nation loves you. Right now, you’ll not really feel like that… In sport, you give every little thing you’ve got. That is the golden rule. In the tip, you see what the rating is… If you gave every little thing and also you don’t have any power anymore, you could be pleased with your self.
MIHIR VASAVDA: You have handled Hockey India and the SAI. Are they doing issues proper or do they should focus extra on sure points?
It’s an enormous problem from right here. It’s not straightforward. There is not any membership competitors. That’s what helps The Netherlands very a lot. It helped Belgium ladies and men, Germany… So that’s one thing that’s a problem for the federation and SAI. Another factor is after all organising tournaments and Pro League with India and that should occur. Plenty of ladies will play hockey now. They noticed how ladies had been stars from the Olympics. How are you able to determine expertise? That shall be one thing else. Like David John, the earlier High Performance Director… He was the one who recognized expertise. One journey, I got here again and he says I’m going to have somebody in your staff. I used to be at all times open to that however I mentioned ‘I don’t know.’ He mentioned, ‘Trust me, I will add someone to your team and you will be happy.’ It was Salima Tete. So she was scouted fairly nicely. This shall be a problem.
SHIVANI NAIK: What would your recommendation be to high school coaches of ladies’ groups?
Don’t focus solely on workouts of ball and stick. Train the entire motor abilities. Teach them to catch balls, roll balls, throw balls and actions. Make that higher, then perhaps somebody will change into an entire participant.