What happened: Marijne’s red-and-yellow “unity” band ritual for India women’s hockey
India women’s hockey head coach Sjoerd Marijne reportedly asked the India squad to use a red-and-yellow unity band as part of Women’s World Cup 2026 Pool-D preparations for the match against South Africa. The reported preparations took place in Amstelveen.
Marijne and the India squad reportedly stepped onto the turf about 30 minutes early. During preparations, Marijne reportedly noticed he had missed something and returned to the dugout to tie the red-and-yellow band around his wrist.
The reported unity band practice reportedly covered players and travelling support staff. The India team’s players and support staff members travelling with the squad (including support staff from the Netherlands) reportedly wore the same unity band at Marijne’s insistence.
Sjoerd Marijne reportedly framed the unity band practice as a way to restore belief and confidence within the group and strengthen bonding through a shared visual cue for teamwork, focus, and discipline.