A letter, a few gifts and a final connection: Savita Punia and Bichu Devi’s emotional meeting with late coach Simon Zijp’s wife

Savita Punia and Bichu Devi, India’s two goalkeepers, had put together a strong Hockey World Cup campaign. Ahead of their virtual knockout game against Australia, the pair, in full gear, was set to go through its drills to get the blood pumping.

But 40 minutes before pushback came a poignant moment when everything just stood still.

Savita, Bichu and an unknown figure were in conversation by the advertising boards. As the woman handed over a handful of things, including a sealed letter, Savita and Bichu appeared visibly emotional. Pirmin Blaak, the Indian goalkeeping coach, came over and spoke briefly before the trio returned to training.

The woman was Caroline Busch, the wife of the late Simon Zijp, a renowned goalkeeping coach in Dutch hockey. Zijp was also a long-time coach of Blaak, with their journey culminating in the latter’s triumph at the Paris Olympics as the Netherlands’ no. 1 ‘keeper.

Zijp, who had been training Savita and Bichu since the start of February last year, was set to return to India for another session in November before his untimely passing in October.

A memory held close: a photograph of Simon Zijp and his wife, Caroline, carrying a little piece of summer, love and a life shared.
| Photo Credit:
Aashin Prasad

Caroline had travelled from The Hague and wanted to use this opportunity to reconnect with the girls, given the strong bond they shared with Zijp. Wiping away her tears, she mentioned how deeply Savita felt his loss. She said she handed them some chocolates, a couple of small wooden shoes, a symbol of the 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.

During the game, Savita and Bichu rode their luck at times but withstood Australia’s attacking arsenal with a bunch of saves to keep India in the hunt for a first semifinal place in 52 years. But the elusive match-winner never came, leaving them heartbroken.

One for the keeps: The wooden shoes Caroline Busch brought for Savita Punia and Bichu Devi, a small piece of the Netherlands and a reminder of their late coach Simon Zijp.
| Photo Credit:
Aashin Prasad

For Savita, however, the unexpected meeting with Caroline became a pleasant memory. She had previously spoken to Blaak about how ‘special’ their former coach was to her and how he made goalkeeping training enjoyable even at high intensity.

Last year, when Savita was sidelined due to an ankle injury before the Asia Cup, Zijp took time out to continue talking her through the rehabilitation process.

“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.

Savita learnt of his sudden passing while she was at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka. “When the whole team met up, we couldn’t believe that he was no more. At that time, I also realised that we all develop so much attachment over such a short time, so I wondered how tough a time it would be for the family,” said Savita.

So when Blaak came to know of the impact Zijp had on them during a pre-tournament training session in Germany, he promised that he would arrange a meeting with Caroline. He kept that promise.

Savita was forever grateful for the opportunity, which allowed her to make one final connection to her former coach. “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 good memory for us,” said Savita.

Published on Aug 25, 2026