Roelant Oltmans, the veteran Dutch coach, is of the view that Indian hockey is set to benefit from the Hockey India League in the way Holland’s vibrant league has contributed to their national team’s success. Speaking to The Indian Express, Oltmans, UP team coach, also compared the two set-ups — the Indian and the Dutch. Excerpts.

HIL is set to begin in less than two weeks’ time. What do you reckon it’s impact will be on Indian hockey?

Having a good league can do a world of good for the sport in the country. It gives junior and senior Indian players have an opportunity to play alongside the very best in the world. They stand to learn a great deal, in terms of skills, fitness and overall professionalism. I am sure we will see the positive results when India go on to play the Asian Games or the World Cup.

Do you think that playing under different coaches in HIL might affect the playing style of Team India members? It’s an argument that was made by Michael Nobbs before World Series of Hockey?

I am not aware of what exactly Michael Nobbs had said at that time, but I don’t think a professional league creates a contradiction of styles. It, in fact, teaches players how to adapt quickly.

Holland has one of the best in the world. How much has that helped Dutch hockey? How do you compare that with HIL?

Quite a lot, actually. It’s very competitive, which helps make our players better. Besides, it helps create talent pool. Holland’s success has a lot to do with it. Hockey India is a great start but, as of now, there’s a difference between the two set-ups. In Holland we have a league that runs for 8 months, here the tournament length is barely a month. The preparation time that we get there is six weeks, here it’s 10 days. But, HIL will get bigger and better.

Holland has excellent infrastructure. In India, what we seem to be following is a top-down model: setting up a glitzy league and waiting for the benefits to trickle down. Will it work?

There is plenty of work being done by HI at grassroots as well. It’s evident in the way the new exciting players are coming up. So I would say Hockey India’s model is working both ways, top-down and bottom-up.

There is also a concern that with junior players suddenly exposed to money, their focus may get affected. How justified are those fears?

I don’t agree. I am yet to meet a hockey player who is thinking about money while he’s training. Maybe the league will encourage young players that now you don’t have to play only cricket to earn a living and will help attract more talent.

Indian hockey team touched a new low at the Olympics, but they posted a couple of good performances towards the end of the year. What do you think of this new team?

Compared to what it was a year ago, the Indian team has grown by leaps and bounds. The fitness level of Indian players have improved. The fact that they came fourth in the Champions Trophy proves it.