Savita Punia Points to Fitness Deficiencies as Key Factor in Indian Women's Hockey Team's 2025 Performance Dip
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia has openly identified "poor fitness" as the primary reason behind the Indian women's hockey team's disappointing performances throughout 2025. Despite this setback, with the return of Sjoerd Marijne as chief coach, Punia remains optimistic about the team's chances of securing a spot in the upcoming World Cup through the critical qualification tournament scheduled for next month in Hyderabad.
World Cup Qualification Pathway and the Do-or-Die Scenario
The Indian women's team failed to secure direct qualification for the World Cup, which is set to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands in August of this year, via the Asia Cup. Consequently, they must now navigate the qualifiers in Hyderabad, running from March 8 to 14, 2026. This tournament features a competitive lineup including England, Scotland, Korea, Italy, Uruguay, Wales, and Austria. The qualification structure awards spots to the top three teams from each qualifier, along with the fourth highest-ranked sides from both competitions.
Savita Punia candidly admitted that this upcoming qualifier represents a "do-or-die situation" for India. She emphasized the team's awareness of the high stakes but maintained confidence in their ability to succeed, citing a positive team atmosphere and the acquisition of desired coaching and training staff.
Reflecting on Past Performance and Fitness as a Cornerstone
In an interview with PTI Bhasha, Punia reflected on the cyclical nature of sports, noting that 2025 was a challenging period. She highlighted fitness as a decisive factor, recalling its crucial role in the team's commendable performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where they achieved a historic fourth-place finish. Punia credited coaches Sjoerd Marijne, Janneke Schopman, and scientific advisor Wayne Lombard for their dedicated efforts in enhancing the team's physical conditioning.
"Only the top teams participate in the Olympics, and fitness is crucial to competing with them," Punia stated. She pointed out that while Indian hockey has inherent prowess, fitness shortcomings undermined their campaign at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Although improvements were evident in Tokyo, a recent decline in fitness levels has contributed to the team's struggles.
Post-Olympic Challenges and Future Objectives
Following their Olympic success, the Indian women's team faced difficulties in maintaining momentum. In 2025, they finished last in the FIH Pro League with only 10 points from 16 matches, resulting in relegation to the FIH Nations Cup. Punia acknowledged this as a significant blow but stressed the importance of regaining their Pro League spot by winning the Nations Cup, which would provide valuable experience against the world's top eight teams.
Looking ahead, the team's calendar includes the World Cup and the Asian Games, with limited time between tournaments. Punia underscored the necessity of focusing on fitness to achieve their goals. In the Asian Games, where India has previously secured silver and bronze medals, the team now aims for gold to secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. While anticipating challenges from teams like China, Punia emphasized the importance of concentrating on India's own strengths.
Leadership and Motivation Under Coach Sjoerd Marijne
The return of Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne, who previously led the team from 2017 to 2021, has injected renewed motivation. Punia praised Marijne for fostering a positive atmosphere and instilling a sense of responsibility among players. She shared a personal anecdote, revealing that after the team's poor performance at the Rio Olympics, she felt her career was nearing its end. However, Marijne's faith in her abilities revitalized her passion for goalkeeping and contributed to her subsequent performances.
With over 300 international caps and recent recognition through the Padma Shri award, Savita Punia's insights and leadership remain pivotal as the Indian women's hockey team prepares for the critical qualifiers and aims to reclaim its position among the world's elite.
