Hockey India fires Oltmans
a World Cup ticket.
“To make results a reality, we need to make hard decisions for the greater good of the future of hockey in India. The current format of coaching was not showing results beyond a certain level,” said Harbinder at the end of the high-profile meeting in Delhi where several top Indian players, including Khel Ratna Sardar Singh, PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh took part.
“Asia can’t be a benchmark for success any more. We need to show results beyond intent in key international tournaments where the sporadic success over the last two years is more incidental than deliberate,” said Harbinder.
“I was always prepared to be sacked,” said Roelant Oltmans after Hockey Indian removed the Dutchman following a four-and-ahalf year stint. Asked whether he came prepared for the tough job when he was appointed 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 said.
The Dutchman, however, said he has no regrets and hoped that he has made a good roadmap for the team to follow. “I have no regrets because I know I have left certain legacy for India hockey in the last four-and-a-halfyears. The team has made significant progress and I just hope the process, which I had set, continues in the future,” Oltmans said.
Oltmans said the day he took up the role, he emphasised on the need to set longterm goals for Indian hockey to revive its past glory. “My plan from day one was to set long-term goals for India hockey to put the house in order and achieve a level of consistency. India need six years to be in the top 3.”