New Delhi: Hockey India (HI) like it does so often sprang a surprise by sacking national coach Roelant Oltmans with immediate effect due to the lack of trust in the legendary Dutchman’s formula of ‘long-term” process for success. In his place high performance director David John will take charge of the national men’s team till a suitable replacement is found.
The HI arrived at the decision after a three-day review meeting of its high performance and development committee.
“Oltmans gave a series of presentation about his long-term vision but we need short-term results. We had a core of probables since 2012 but still we failed to produce desired results at the international level,” John told this agency. “We want consistency. We want to finish in the top three in international events. We want to win the Asia Cup, Hockey World League Finals and Asian Games. We want to finish on the podium in Commonwealth Games, next year’s World Cup and 2020 Olympics,” he added.
Oltmans had joined the Indian team as high performance director in January 2013 and took over as coach in July 2015 after the ouster of Paul Van Ass who was also shown the door unanimously.
“He (Oltmans) gave his presentation over the last two days but the committee felt the team now need a new direction as they have not performed as we would have liked under him,” pointed out John.
The most notable performance for India under Oltmans was a silver medal at the Champions Trophy last year. He also guided the junior team to World Cup gold as an advisor.
John said India might have improved from World No. 11 to six under Oltmans but losing matches against lower-ranked sides this year went against him.
“Losing matches against Malaysia twice this year (in Azlan Shah Cup and Hockey World League Semifinals in London and against Canada) was the last straw for Oltmans,” said the Australian, who was India’s exercise physiologist under Micheal Nobbs in 2012.
Before Oltmans, many other foreign hockey coaches were shown the door unceremoniously, including Ric Charlesworth, Jose Brasa, Michael Nobbs, Terry Walsh and Van Ass.
HI too said that it was not impressed with the recent failures under the Dutchman. “Key decisions were taken which included to ask chief coach Roelant Oltmans to step down,” HI said in a release.
“While Roelant Oltmans role as chief coach in improving the teams’ overall fitness and cohesiveness has been appreciated, the results are what matter and the performance of the team has not been consistent or up to the desired levels,” the release added.
‘Was prepared for this from day one’
Sacked hockey coach Roelant Oltmans said that he was prepared for such a fate from day one of his assignment in India. The legendary Dutchman was associated with Indian hockey for four-and-a-half years before Hockey India (HI) decided to end his tenure.
Asked whether he came prepared for the tough job when he was appointed as Indian hockey’s high performance director in 2013, he answered in the affirmative.
“We all (foreigners) know India is not the easiest of countries to work – especially in the sporting sector because of a host of issues. But in my mind, I was always prepared. When I took up the offer, I knew someday I will be sacked but I was ready for that,” Oltmans told this agency.
“I have no regrets because I know I have left a certain legacy for Indian hockey in my tenure. The team have made significant progress and I just hope the process which I had set continues in the future,” added Oltmans.
The departing coach also asserted that from day one he had set ‘long-term’ goals for Indian hockey to revive its past glory.
“My plans from day one were to set long-term goals for Indian hockey, to put the house in order and achieve a level a consistency. I had always said that India need six years to be in the top three,” he informed.
“But it seems it’s different in India. People want overnight results. But it takes to build a process after a slump. But I never had any disagreement with the authorities, had a great time and enjoyed here,” Oltmans clarified.
The Dutchman, however, was taken aback with the sudden decision of HI and said it was not in the best interest of the country. “I don’t think it was the right moment to take this decision. We had always set our target for 2017 Asia Cup and winning the 2018 Hockey World League Finals,” he stated.
“India have the potential to finish on the podium in the Asia Cup, the CWG and other tournaments, provided they follow the system that I have put in place”
Former criticise HI decision
Bhubaneswar: Former Indian players based in Orissa expressed their resentment over the untimely sacking of chief coach Roeland Oltmans. Here is what they had to say.
Lazarus Barla: I was shocked when I heard the news. He was guiding the Indian team well after the unceremonious exit of Terry Walsh. HI may say it was unhappy, but I think that the team were performing pretty well under Oltmans. From my experience I can say that it takes time for the Indian team to deliver results. Oltmans was in the process of making a good team when he was sacked. It’s not a wise decision on part of HI. It will definitely demoralise the players.
Prabodh Tirkey: Oltman’s ouster is definitely a retrogressive step. Players had settled under him. He knew their strengths, weaknesses and specialty. Now they have to adjust again with a new coach and it will take a long time. But the irony is that we don’t have much time left for the World Cup. It will definitely hamper the team-building and coordination among the players and coaches. He should have been allowed to continue till the 2020 Olympics.
Michael Kindo: Oltmans was doing a very good job. It was not the right time to sack him. He took the mantle of the team, when it was in transition. He almost prepared a very good team and made it the fittest. He should have been allowed to continue. His sudden sacking will only unsettle the players and confuse them as they will have to start their preparations from the scratch again under a new coach.
Press Trust of India
