Oltmans new coach of Pak men’s hockey team

NEWDELHI/KARACHI: Former India coach Roelant Oltmans was officially appointed as the new chief coach of the Pakistan men’s hockey team for a two-and-ahalf-year term.

Oltmans, who was in charge of Indian hockey for four years --- first as High Performance Director and later as chief coach since 2015 before his unceremonious sacking last September --took to his official Twitter handle to confirm the appointment.

“I can confirm an agreement with PHF for a role as Chief Coach for the next 2.1/2 Years,” Oltmans wrote.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation confirmed the Dutchman’s appointment later on Wednesday. “Yes, Oltmans is the new head coach of the national team and will be looking after the team in all major events this year including the Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and the World Cup,” PHF president Shahbaz Ahmed said.

Shahbaz said 2018 is a makeor-break year for Pakistan hockey.