New Delhi, 2 January. Shord Marin has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. Hockey India confirmed the appointment on Friday. Under Shord Marin’s coaching, the Indian women’s team had won hearts worldwide with their performance at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing in fourth place.
After his appointment, Shord Marin said, “It feels great to be back. After 4.5 years, I have returned with the dream of helping the team grow and encouraging players to perform to their full potential on the global stage.”
Marin previously served as the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team from 2017 to 2021. The Dutch coach will arrive in India on 14 January. The national coaching camp is scheduled to begin on 19 January at SAI, Bengaluru. Marin’s first major challenge as head coach will be the Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifier, to be held in Hyderabad from 8 to 14 March 2026.
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey welcomed Shord Marin and the entire support staff to the Indian hockey family. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and SAI for expediting the appointment process to ensure uninterrupted preparation for the upcoming World Cup Qualifier.
Dr. Tirkey also emphasized the importance of fitness, which was a key factor behind the historic performance of the Indian women’s team at Tokyo. He expressed optimism about achieving good results in the near future.
Shord Marin will be assisted by Matias Villa as the analytical coach. Dr. Wayne Lombard is returning to the Indian women’s coaching setup as the scientific advisor and head of athletic performance. He will be supported by Rodet Yila and Siara Yila in the scientific advisory role.
Matias Villa, a former Argentine midfielder, debuted in 1997 and participated in the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics. He has been involved in coaching for nearly two decades.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.