Times of India: Sports psychologist for hockey team likely

Manuja Veerappa

BENGALURU: There is a buzz in the Indian hockey camp, heavy with anticipation, excitement and nervousness. As the campers step up their loads ahead of the Rio Olympics next year, high performance director and chief coach Roelant Oltmans is looking at the all-round development of the team before the big event.On the sidelines of the national camp here, Oltmans spoke on the crucial months ahead of Indian hockey.Excerpts:

On mental conditioning:

I’m looking at it every single minute. Yesterday , Sardar and I had a conversation about it. We might do a trial in that area to see if it fits us. The chief coach always works on the mental aspect and so I’m also a mental coach. So we don’t a psychologist to be with us all the time. However, we can have a person who can discuss such issues with our players whenever it is necessary . We’re working on that with the Sports Authority of India.

Target for World League Final:

Like every other team, we will aim for a semifinal berth. Also, with eight top teams in the fray , the most important thing is to test ourselves against the world’s top sides and get the information that we need with an eye on the Olympics.

On the three-match Australia series before WLF:

It’s a good preparatory series. Australia are the best team in the world and it’s good for us to play them as much as possible because these people will show us immediately every small mistake we make. You may concede a few goals you prefer not to concede – but better now, in November, than in August next year.

Sardar remains captain

Hockey India on Wednesday named an 18-member team led by Sardar Singh for the event to be held from November 27December 6 in Raipur.

Teams: GK: PR Sreejesh (VC), Harjot Singh. Defenders: Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, VR Raghunath, Jasjit Singh Kular, Rupinder Pal Singh; Midfielders: Sardar Singh (captain), Chinglensana Singh, Devinder Walmiki, Manpreet Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Danish Mujtaba; Forwards: SV Sunil, Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Talwinder Singh.