Installed as the new coach of the men’s hockey team, Roelant Oltmans couldn’t really pinpoint a reason how he’s been able to stick around while three foreigners have come and gone in the carousel of India hockey coaches.
Day before departing for Europe where the team will play five friendlies against France and Spain, Oltmans suggested he tries to learn the culture and ways. “I try to understand the Indian culture and I try to accept to a certain extent the things I am not used to and I’ve always said that there has been one thing in my mind when I arrived here — to see India on a level where I want them to be. The moment I start doubting my future, that keeps me alive,” he said sitting alongside captain Sardar Singh, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and drag-flicker VR Raghunath.
Oltmans who is also India’s High Performance Director was officially named as the coach on Saturday after the exit of another Dutchman Paul Van Ass in unceremonious fashion.
Another matter that is in murky waters is the omission from the squad of Gurbaj Singh. The midfielder was reported and charged by Hockey India for “misbehavior and creating disharmony” in the team, a charge that Oltmans, Sardar, Sreejesh and Gurbaj himself have vehemently denied.
When asked on Thursday, Oltmans without mincing any words said: “It’s not correct. The fact that one player (Gurbaj) is not there (in the squad) has to do really nothing with disharmony in the team. I want to make this very, very clear.
“There is absolutely no disharmony in the team. For me the team is the most important thing. I am always looking very, very carefully.”
‘Changes affect us’
With four coaches in five years, the team does get affected, Sardar conceded — especially the juniors. “It gets difficult because every coach has a style and method. Some results start to trickle in and then there is a change. The new one comes in and starts to use his method. Building a team takes time. In such circumstances, it is vital to communicate, especially with juniors,” said the 29-year-old.