"Disappointing": Hockey India Accuses Ex-Women's Coach Sjoerd Marijne Of Data Theft

Sjoerd Marijne data theft allegations: Hockey India, in a statement Wednesday, accused former national women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne of data theft and recommended penal action against him since he is yet to return the official laptop given to him. This comes following Marijne's public claims of non-payment of his dues as a hockey coach by Indian sports authorities.

A 47-year-old Dutch former hockey player, Marijne earlier this year won immense national recognition for standing behind the Indian women's hockey team as they scripted history by qualifying for the Olympics semi-finals for the first time ever. India finished at fourth place in the game, Marijne's tenure as coach ending with it.

According to PTI, his six-day salary amounting to $1800, which is equivalent to the value of the laptop he has reportedly not returned, was withheld. This was confirmed by sources at the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Marijne claims he took the laptop back to the Netherlands with him for some repair work and has now sent it back to India.

The former women's coach went public with allegations of non-clearance of his salary in an interview with Indian Express. "I am yet to receive the prize money from the UP government and the dues that are pending with SAI," he told the publication. SAI authorities have, however, said any performance bonuses were not part of the contract with Marijne.

Sjoerd Marijne Data Theft Controversy: What Hockey India Is Saying

Hockey India, the country's top body presiding over hockey, in a statement published on its official website said it condemned Marijne's "malicious attempt to paint a dark picture of Indian sports administration..."

"As far as we understand, Sjoerd Marijne has been paid his salary till August 7, 2021 and is owed only a balance amount of USD 1800... Due to the non-return of the laptop, Hockey India is unable to issue an NOC and as such believes that the Sports Authority of India is well within their rights to retain the USD 1800," Hockey India further says.

The statement adds that Marijne's expectations of "prize money" are "unprecedented" and that the Indian women's team finishing at a historic fourth at the Olympics was an achievement secured by the efforts of many people, including athletes and support staff.

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