New Delhi: The junior hockey World Cup not only provides India a chance to end their 15-year-old title drought in the event, but also gives the colts an opportunity to enter the senior core group which will be reformed soon, said the senior side’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans.
Oltmans, who is the chief coach of the senior Indian hockey team till 2020 Tokyo Olympics, however, asked the junior players to fully concentrate on the job at hand as their performances in the World Cup and next season’s HIL will be taken into consideration while forming the new core group.
“I believe in quality and testing new players. I have told the junior players that a new core group will be formed after the 2017 HIL and everyone has a chance to get into it but that will depend on their performances in the World Cup and HIL,” Oltmans, who is overseeing the preparations of the junior team alongside chief coach Harendra Singh stated Tuesday.
“But I have also told them not to burden themselves thinking about the senior side now. Their main task at present is to play as a team in the World Cup and if possible win it,” he added.
Regarded as a hard taskmaster, Oltmans feels the hosts are among the most balanced in the upcoming event at Lucknow.
“Our combination is the most balanced among the other sides. The experience of playing in the HIL will also be a great asset to the Indian colts. Players of other teams lack that exposure,” the legendary pointed out.
“We will play as a team and aim for consistency. We will be playing attacking hockey all the way through,” he added.
India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, Canada and South Africa in the 16-team tournament. The hosts will open their campaign against Canada on Thursday.
The only time India won the Junior World Cup was way back in 2001 in Hobart, Australia.
PTI
