Under-fire Roelant Oltmans presents fresh plan

New Delhi: Hockey India top brass on Thursday got down to business, holding a series of meetings with senior players and coaching staff to chart a way forward from a period of inconsistent results from the men’s senior team.

A string of defeats to lower-ranked teams like Canada and Malaysia have thrown up questions and Hockey India is keen to find solutions as India enter a crucial period building up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

High performance director David John and chief executive office Elena Norman, along with a few members of a special committee, met senior players Sreejesh P.R., Sardar Singh and Manpreet Singh, followed by intense talks with the coaching staff.

Roelant Oltmans’ role, in particular, is a major point of discussion and the Asia Cup in October will serve as a real test for the Dutchman if he has to continue in the long run.

Oltmans, it is learnt, gave a presentation on how to take the team ahead and put forth points reflecting plans for the team in the next four years. Analytical coach Hans Streeder and scientific advisor Scott Conway were the others in attendance.

Said Oltmans after the meeting, “Yes, I have given my presentation and the meeting will continue tomorrow. That is all I can say right now.

“It was about the vision and plans and how to take Indian hockey ahead.”
Earlier in the day, the committee that included former India centre forward Harbinder Singh along with other held talks with players, who were called upon individually.

The players, it is understood, were asked their opinion on a number of matters including team planning, problem areas and the road ahead.

Harbinder, a member of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic gold medal winning team, said discussions would continue over the next two days followed by an official announcement.

“Right now, we do not have a comment to make. We are in the middle of the meetings and it will take some more time.”