Top Indian players deserve their price tag, says Olympic gold medallist Jip Janssen ahead of HIL debut

Top Indian players deserve their price tag, says Olympic gold medallist Jip Janssen ahead of HIL debut

Drag-flick specialist Jip Janssen was one of the most sought-after players in the Hockey India League auction in October. 

The 27-year-old, a part of the Netherlands men’s team, that won a gold medal in the Paris Olympics, was roped in by Tamil Nadu Dragons for a hefty sum of Rs. 54 lakhs. 

It was a different matter that it was the Indian players who commanded significant bids, with Harmanpreet Singh (Soorma HC) fetching 78 lakhs, Abhishek joining Bengal Tigers for 72 lakhs, and Hardik Singh signing with UP Rudras for 70 lakhs. Janssen was the second-highest paid foreign player, trailing only Gonzalo Peillat (Germany) who joined Hyderabad Toofans for 68 lakhs.

Despite this, the Dutch felt top Indian players going for higher amount was justified. Speaking to Sportstar after his first day of training at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here in Chennai on Sunday, Janssen said: “So I understand that they would pay like a lot of money for them [Indians]. They are amazing players. And besides you can only play five international players. So therefore, good Indian players are very worthy.”

On his first day in Chennai where he learnt a bit of Hindi and Tamil, Janssen said: “The boys have given me a very warm welcome. Am very happy to be here with a nice group of guys. With players from different cultures, it becomes a bit difficult, needing translations, but that’s fine. We have all the time in the world.”

On his debut in HIL, he remarked: “It’s great that HIL is back. Because, I think, in hockey HIL is one of the coolest events to be as a player besides the Olympics of course. HIL comes really close.”

According to Janssen, he is here to win the HIL for Tamil Dragons. “I don’t have any expectations. I’m just here to enjoy. And to have fun with the guys who train hard and hopefully win this thing,” he said. 

The Dutch International is not new to India having been part of the Junior World Cup in Lucknow in 2016 and the World Cup in Bhubaneswar last year when Netherlands clinched bronze. Janssen said he has pleasant memories of India. “I really like coming to India. And, I think, one of my best and most enjoyable tournaments was here during the World Cup (2023). So, yes, I like coming here. The people are very very kind. The food is good,” he said. 

Netherlands created a history after it bagged a historic double when its men’s and women’s teams won a gold medal each at Paris Olympics. Also, the men’s team won the gold after a gap of 24 years.

“I have very fond memories of Paris. And it’s special that both men and the women teams won. So yeah it’s something that I’ll never forget and always cherish,” said the defender.

Janssen said the key for Netherlands’ success was its team chemistry and fighting spirit. “I think we were as a team very close. And that’s the most important part. We were not, maybe, the best as individual players, but were the best team. And we were willing to fight for each other. I think that’s the most important part in becoming successful—that you do it together and willing to suffer for your teammates,” he said.

Janssen also mentioned the role of Netherlands men’s team head coach Jeroen Delmee in its Paris glory. The 51-year-old’s impact was significant, drawing on his extensive experience as both a player and a coach. Delmee also became the first Dutch sportsperson in history to win Olympic gold both as a player and as a coach.

“I think he’s the greatest of all-time in the Netherlands. He’s played more than 400 Internationals. And he’s the only Dutch coach who won it as a player and as a coach. In my opinion, he’s the best there is. It’s a team he built. He said that ‘you’re not going to play for the medal. So, keep that out of your head. You’re going to play for the bonds together. Because when he became champion (gold in 1996 Atlanta & 2000 Sydney Olympics), his teammates are still his best friends. He created something within us that we are going to play for friendship and not necessarily for a medal. And that worked,” he said.