Narinder Batra takes swipe at Paul van Ass before plotting future with Roelant Oltmans

Batra said they would request Oltmans to stay on till the 2018 World Cup, which will be held in India.

Conceding that the departure of the chief coach just a year before the Rio Olympics is a setback, Hockey India president Narinder Batra lashed out at Paul van Ass while confirming the appointment of Roelant Oltmans as the new coach.

Oltmans will head an entirely new coaching staff of the men’s team after assistant coach Jude Felix resigned while Sandeep Sangwan, who was also the team manager, set to be transferred to junior teams. Harender Singh and MK Kaushik are seen as possible contenders to replace Felix while a full time manager is also likely to be appointed. Van Ass’s compatriot and Hockey India high performance director Oltmans will double up as the chief coach for a year till the Rio Games.

Batra said they would request Oltmans to stay on till the 2018 World Cup, which will be held in India. A special committee formed by Hockey India had recommended on Friday that Oltmans should be given charge of the men’s team following Van Ass’s unceremonious exit. Oltmans was a unanimous choice, considering his proximity to the players and understanding of the set-up. Since being appointed as the high performance director in 2013, the Dutchman has been a constant presence at national camps and international tournaments, developing a good rapport with players in the process. He was also given interim charge of the team after Terry Walsh parted ways last year and managed the dugout at the Champions Trophy in December 2014. India finished fourth in the tournament, but were lauded for some gutsy performances.

Batra first met Oltmans on Saturday to discuss the roadmap before conveying the decision to Sports Authority of India director general Injetti Srinivas. “On the basis of the recommendation made by the committee, we have decided to appoint Roelant Oltmans as the coach till the Olympics. We will request him to continue till World Cup after that but we will talk about it later,” Batra said. “It’s definitely a setback that a coach has left just a year before the Games but we will make up for lost time.” Batra maintained that Van Ass could not deal with the pressure of coaching in India and hence chose not to return. “He held a goodbye meeting on July 5 and since then, he knew he wasn’t returning. I have seen communications between him and Roelant and I know what’s the truth,” he said. “But now we should focus on the future. It’s an important period for the team in terms of preparations now.” Batra added they have also sorted out the issue of assistant coaches.

Felix resigned citing personal reasons but it is learnt he was frustrated with the constant chopping and changing. Oltmans’ first assignment, meanwhile, will be test series against France and Spain next month before a bilateral series against Australia in September.