Sjoerd Marijne appointed India hockey team coach

Benglauru, September 8: Women's national hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne was on Friday (September 8) named chief coach of the men's side, replacing the sacked Roelant Oltmans.

World Cup-winning junior team coach Harendra Singh was appointed High Performance Specialist coach of the senior women's team.

While Marijne will take charge on September 20 after returning from an ongoing tour of Europe with the women's team, Harendra will be on the job immediately.

The decisions were announced by newly-appointed Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.

Current Chief Coach of Indian Senior Women Hockey Team, Mr. Waltherus Marijne,will take over as Chief Coach of Indian Senior Men Hockey Team

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 8, 2017

"Current Chief Coach of Indian Senior Women Hockey Team, Mr. Waltherus Marijne, will take over as Chief Coach of Indian Senior Men Hockey Team," Rathore tweeted.

"Pleased to announce appt of Sh Harendra Singh, Dronacharya Award winner, as High Performance Specialist Coach fr Indian Snr Women Hockey Team," the Minister added.

Current Chief Coach of Indian Senior Women Hockey Team, Mr. Waltherus Marijne,will take over as Chief Coach of Indian Senior Men Hockey Team

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 8, 2017

According to a Hockey India official, both Marijne and Harendra have been given a tenure till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The decision came was a bolt from the blue as Hockey had advertised for Oltmans' successor on its website just three days ago. HI had set September 15 as the deadline to apply for the post.

However, the official said HI withdrew the advertisement.

It has been learnt that Marijne was initially reluctant to take up the role. The 43-year-old Dutchman, who was appointed as the Indian women's coach in February earlier this year, has never worked with a national men's team before. However, HI and other SAI officials convinced him.