India are getting close to top sides, feels Oltmans
bengaluru — Indian men’s hockey team chief coach Roelant Oltmans on Thursday said foreign teams now consider India as a serious competitor and it is time for the PR Sreejesh-led side to show the world what they are capable of.
Oltmans’ comments came after Germany and Kalinga Lancers skipper Moritz Fuerste’s recent statement post the Hockey India League (HIL) that India can be top three in world hockey soon.
“I see it as a compliment that top sides in the world are seeing what India is doing,” said Oltmans about Fuerste’s remark.
“Maybe three-four years ago they weren’t even looking at India as a serious competitor. India is getting close to the top sides and now it’s up to us to show that we can do it,” the Dutchman said at the senior men’s national camp underway at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Southern Centre here.
Having made a good start to the
Maybe three-four years ago they weren’t even looking at India as a serious competitor Roelant Oltmans
new Olympic cycle with men’s Asian Champions Trophy and the prestigious Junior World Cup titles, Oltmans feels the process has been put in place to be the world’s best.
India’s next assignment is the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in April, followed by the World League SemiFinal in June, men’s Asia Cup in September and the World League Final in December.
“I think in the previous Olympic cycle from 2014, we have made a lot of progress. No doubt our focus is on 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2018 men’s World Cup but we have to get the confidence by doing well in all tournaments,” he said.
With 11 new recruits from the Junior World Cup-winning squad in the 33-member core probables list, it is evident that Oltmans is looking at bringing the potential of youngsters to the fore ahead of big ticket events.
“Every country goes through a transitional phase. I know that Holland already has 12 players from their junior squad though they finished seventh in the Junior World Cup. It is important to invest in the potential of these younger players to make sure they continue to develop,” Oltmans said.
“These guys (junior players) know what is expected of them and the last four months of 2016, I have closely worked with these boys ahead of the Junior World Cup and they are aware of my working style.
“They are elite athletes and they are fully aware that I expect nothing less than 100 per cent on the pitch in every session,” added the Dutchman, who will be at the helm till 2020 Olympics. —