HOCKEY ‘Had selection differences with Oltmans’

Bengaluru, Sept. 3: Interim national hockey coach David John on Sunday admitted that he had “differences over selection process” with Roelant Oltmans but clarified that it was not the only reason for the latter’s ouster.

“I did not have any differences with Oltmans’s style of coaching. We had difference of opinion on selection matters. I felt some of the younger players needed to gain international exposure. I don’t believe players sitting in the camp for two years with no international exposure. Their skills need to be upscaled,” John said during an interaction. John, who was appointed as the high-performance director, took charge of the men’s team as interim coach after Hockey India sacked Oltmans on Saturday.

The decision was taken after a three-day meeting of the Hockey India High Performance and Development Committee, which concluded on Saturday. John also said the sacking was a unanimous decision taken by the committee.

“That (my differences with Oltmans) wasn’t certainly the case (for the coach’s sacking). There were presentations by team and also Oltmans. Thereafter, the committee made a unanimous decision to look for a coach,” he said.

John also made it clear that he will like to get some of the senior players out of their comfort zones.

“I want to work with players who have been there for the last four years. They have lot of talent, but they have not been consistent enough. May be replacing those players with younger players or may be taking them out of comfort zone and making them accountable for their performances to ensure none takes their places for granted.

“I want healthy competition within the team to earn their selection,” John said.

John informed that the search for new coach would begin next week. John will be in-charge of the team till a suitable replacement is found.

That (my differences with Oltmans) wasn't certainly the case (for the coach's sacking). There were presentations by team and also Oltmans. Thereafter, the committee made a unanimous decision to look for a coach

DAVID JOHN