Why Janneke Schopman Described India As 'Extremely Difficult For A Woman' ?

Chak de India, the 2007 cinematic masterpiece that laid bare the gender disparities in sports, seems to have been a mere prelude to the stark reality that Janneke Schopman, the coach of the Indian women's hockey team, confronts today. While women athletes are conquering new frontiers, Schopman's grim admission peels back the layers, revealing a harsh reality: the battle for gender equality is raging on the turf of Indian sports.

Allegations of Differential Treatment

Schopman, an Olympic gold medalist who took over the coaching role for the Indian women's hockey team three years ago, boldly exposes the harsh realities she grappled with during her tenure, highlighting the glaring discrepancies in treatment between the men's and women's teams. With a moving nod to her roots in the Netherlands and her coaching experience in the USA, Schopman asserts that India is "extremely difficult as a woman." Her struggle for a voice and opinion in a culture where she feels stifled resonates with the silent battles women fight daily, not only in sports but in various facets of life.

Despite her impressive track record and dedication to the team, she claims her opinions have not been adequately valued. Her admission of feeling 'alone' and 'not valued' by Hockey India officials mirrors the opening scenes of Chak de India, where a boardroom of men and a lone woman dismiss women's hockey as a mere formality. It begs the question: have we truly progressed, or are we still entangled in the same discriminatory mindset?

The Dutchwoman's struggle with Hockey  India officials emerges as a microcosm of a broader societal problem – a problem she succinctly describes as, "Very hard, very hard. Because, you know, I come from a culture where women are respected and valued. I don’t feel that here." These words are not just a reflection of personal anguish but an expose of a systemic issue that permeates the entire Indian sports culture for women.

Her admission, following India's triumphant tie-breaker against the USA, serves as a jarring reminder that victories on the field can be overshadowed by the backstage politics and gender biases that continue to cast a long shadow over women in sports.

Even as she reflects on her journey since joining as an analytical coach in January 2020, Schopman reveals, "Even when I was the assistant coach, some people wouldn’t even look at me, wouldn’t acknowledge me, or wouldn’t respond." This dismissal, so starkly described, speaks volumes about the deeply ingrained biases that only intensified when she assumed the role of chief coach after Sjoerd Marijne's departure post-Tokyo Olympics.

Under her guidance, the team experienced a mix of highs and lows. Despite notable achievements, such as bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, the team faced disappointment by missing out on a berth for the Paris Olympics. This led to a period of reflection and recovery after the FIH Olympic qualifier in Ranchi.

Her claim that she 'should have left after the Commonwealth Games' due to the insurmountable challenges raises a red flag. Why should a coach of her calibre contemplate abandoning a post she rightfully earned?

Struggles with Recognition

Her damning comparison of how "men’s coaches are treated... between me and the men’s coach, or the girls and the men’s team" echoes the gender disparities that have plagued women in sports for generations, reminding us that, even in the 21st century, women coaches and players are subjected to a different, often more challenging, set of standards.

The tipping point in Schopman's journey came after the men's team failed to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals last year. Instead of unity in adversity, the focus shifted disproportionately to the men's team, laying bare the skewed priorities within the hockey association. This stark contrast prompts the question: do the struggles of women in sports still play second fiddle to their male counterparts?

Even her job security became a pawn in the larger game of power dynamics within Hockey India. The revelation that the secretary-general, Bhola Nath Singh, sought her dismissal after the Asian Games but was thwarted by the intervention of Dilip Tirkey and CEO Elena Norman, showcases the precarious nature of a woman's position in sports—a position that seems contingent on the goodwill of a select few, rather than being a reflection of her competence and achievements.

Schopman's hesitancy about her future with the team exposes the internal conflict she battles—a conflict fueled by love for her players and the acknowledgement of their untapped potential, contrasted against the unrelenting hardships she faces as an individual. This internal struggle is the crux of a much larger battle for gender equality within the coaching hierarchy.

Janneke Schopman's revelation is not just about her personal struggle; it is a rallying cry for change. The Indian women's hockey team, with its remarkable potential, deserves more than a coach battling against discrimination. It deserves a fair and equal playing field.

Personal views expressed by the author are their own