Emotional meeting for Savita and Bichu with late coach’s wife

India’s two goalkeepers, Savita Punia and Bichu Devi, were set to go through their training drills, ahead of their crucial World Cup match against Australia on Sunday, when a poignant moment unfolded by the advertising boards.

They were approached by Caroline Busch, wife of the late Simon Zijp, a renowned goalkeeping coach in Dutch hockey. Zijp, who had been training Savita and Bichu since the start of last year, was set to return to India last November before his untimely demise in October.

Caroline had travelled from Hague and wanted to take this opportunity to reconnect with the girls, due to the strong bond they shared with Zijp. She handed them some chocolates, a couple of small wooden shoes — a symbol of Netherlands’ farming history — and a personal note.

“In the note, I wrote that Simon always talked very highly of them. I also wished them a lot of luck and success for the future,” said Caroline while wiping away her tears.

For Savita, the unexpected meeting with Caroline turned into a pleasant memory.

Savita said Zijp’s words through her rehabilitation process during her injury spell allowed her to come back stronger.

“He used to talk to me about what is important for a senior player to come back after an injury. And if there is an injury, how many thoughts come to the mind? He used to ask me to write down those thoughts in a diary to keep motivating myself,” said the veteran ’keeper.

According to Savita, the whole team was shocked to hear of his death. “I also realised that we all developed so much attachment over such a short time so I wondered how tough it would be for the family,” said Savita.

She had previously spoken to Pirmin Blaak, the current goalkeeping coach of the side, about how special their former coach was for her.

Zijp was a long-time coach of Blaak, the former Netherlands goalkeeper. So Blaak promised that he would arrange for a meeting with Caroline, which he fulfilled.

Savita was grateful for that opportunity, which allowed her to make one final connection to her former coach through his wife. “She took time out to come meet us, despite it being a very tough time for her. She [Caroline] gave us good wishes and blessings, it will be a lifelong memory for us,” added Savita.