Indian Express: Hockey India want men’s team coach Roelant Oltmans at helm till 2020 Games

14 Oct, 2016
By Mihir Vasavda

The process to appoint a new high performance director is already underway, Narendra Batra said.

Hockey India (HI) wants Roelant Oltmans, the men’s hockey team coach, to continue in his post till the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and the recommendation has been forwarded to the Sports Authority of India, according to HI president Narinder Batra. Oltmans’ current contract expires in January 2017.

Under Oltmans India had two podium finishes in the last 12 months – bronze at the World League final last December and silver at the Champions Trophy in June – but the eighth-place finish at the Rio Olympics after losing to Belgium in the quarterfinals had led to speculation that the 62-year-old Dutchman may not get an extention.
Batra said the Dutchman will now be asked to focus only on the senior men’s team and will not continue as the high performance director.

The process to appoint a new high performance director is already underway, Batra said. No decision is made on women’s team coach Neil Hawgood so far.

“We want to carry on with him. Till now, we have taken a call only on one person (in the coaching staff). In our discussion, Roelant has agreed,” Batra said. “Roelant will be the chief coach of men’s programme. We want separate men in charge of the women’s programme and high performance.”

Hockey India had asked for individual reports from 33 Olympians and hockey experts – excluding the team management – who reviewed India’s performance at the Rio Olympics.

“Based on that, we started having discussions. We will gradually decide on others as well,” said Batra, who will be contesting for the post of International Hockey Federation during its general assembly in Dubai next month.
Oltmans took over as the chief coach of the team in August last year after the unceremonious exit of his compatriot Paul van Ass. The contract extension till 2020 will make Oltmans the longest-serving foreign coach of the Indian team, if he sees out the tenure.

Before him, Jose Brasa (2009 to 2010) and Terry Walsh (2013 to 2014) served just for one year while Michael Nobbs stayed on from 2011 to 2013. Van Ass barely lasted for six months, quitting after falling out with the Hockey India chief in August last year. Oltmans took over the team after Van Ass’s exit.

Batra also refuted the suggestions that the future of some senior players, including Sardar Singh, was under a cloud.

“Right now, we have the 2018 World Cup and 2020 Olympics (as targets). As on today, there is no one who is fading,” he said. “If you want to replace Sardar, then you need to get someone who is as good as him. Sardar is going for Champions Trophy. So there is no issue about the senior players.”