India Enlists Dutch Icon Taekema to Train Women's Dragflickers

New Delhi, March 4 (NationPress) India has enlisted the expertise of Dutch hockey icon Taeke Taekema to train the national women's team dragflickers leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Taekema collaborated with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team to enhance their penalty corner conversion skills during a specialized dragflicking camp held from February 10 to 16 in Bhubaneswar. This camp took place prior to the recently completed home leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25, where India faced off against elite teams such as England, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

With 170 goals in 94 appearances for the Netherlands Men’s Hockey Team during an impressive 11-year career, Taekema is celebrated as one of the world's most formidable penalty corner specialists. His distinguished career includes titles as the top scorer in major international tournaments like the 2002 and 2006 Men’s Champions Trophy, 2006 Men’s World Cup, 2008 Olympic Games, and 2010 FIH World Cup. He also served as an assistant coach for the China Women’s Hockey Team from 2022 to 2024.

Senior players such as Deepika, Manisha Chauhan, Sonam, and Annu, along with some junior players, participated in the camp. The emphasis was on sharpening technical skills and enhancing drag-flick accuracy under Taekema’s expert mentorship.

Deepika, who scored two out of three goals through penalty corners during the home leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25, shared her thoughts on the camp's positive effects, stating, “Though it lasted only a week, it was incredibly beneficial for our home leg in the FIH Pro League. I concentrated on improving my footwork, shot release, and finishing, which helped me identify the technical adjustments necessary for my dragflicking during the tournament.”

“During the week-long camp, we emphasized crucial technical areas like body positioning and stepping according to the type of shot we aimed to execute. This focus made a substantial difference. Overall, it was an enriching experience. Taekema provided excellent guidance, and we began to see improvements under his tutelage. His personal experiences as a player also helped us foster mental resilience,” she added.

In the meantime, Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Harendra Singh expressed his enthusiasm about having Taeke Taekema assist the team with penalty corner strategies.

He remarked, “Taeke is a legendary figure in dragflicking, and I urged Hockey India to bring him in to help us enhance this aspect. He has been working with the team to refine techniques and ensure a more seamless dragflicking process. Dragflicking is a highly specialized skill, and Taeke will continue his involvement in future camps.”

Singh also noted the visible progress in Deepika’s performance. “We’ve witnessed clear improvements with Deepika, especially during the recent Pro League matches. However, successful penalty corner conversions depend on three essential components: the injector, stopper, and dragflicker. Unfortunately, we encountered some challenges with the injection and stopping in a few matches, which impacted our conversion rates. Nevertheless, Deepika’s tactical approach is enhancing with each game.”

Looking forward, Singh unveiled his broader vision for the team’s dragflicking capabilities. “Our objective is to develop Deepika and Manisha into world-class dragflickers. Taeke’s involvement will persist until the 2028 LA Olympics, and he will provide guidance to both senior and junior players as needed. In modern hockey, dragflicking and goalkeeping are vital, so we’re dedicated to preparing our players to excel at the highest global standards.”