Roelant Oltmans Open To Working With Indian Hockey Team? 'I Am Only Focused On...'

Last Updated:September 03, 2025, 15:12 IST

Roelant Oltmans feels India are the clear favourites in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Roelant Oltmans (left) is a former India men's team head coach. (PTI Photo)

Roelant Oltmans, the renowned Dutch hockey coach and former High Performance Director of the Indian men’s team, is open to working in India again but prefers not to take on a full-time role at this stage of his career.

The 71-year-old, who served with the Indian men’s team for five years first as High Performance Director and later as head coach, was dismissed in 2017 after a series of poor performances, including a sixth-place finish at the Hockey World League semifinals in London.

Oltmans has remarked that India is a challenging country to work in, especially in the sports sector.

Currently in India with the Chinese team for the men’s Asia Cup, Oltmans stated on Wednesday that while he is not interested in a full-time position, he is willing to work as a consultant for short-term assignments with any national team requiring his expertise.

He explained, “If you have a job like that (full-time coach), you have to go for long tours and long-term contracts, and I don’t want long-term stints right now. I am only focused on short-term assignments."

When asked if he would consider a short-term stint with India in the future, Oltmans responded, “You never know, you never know."

Oltmans first arrived in India as High Performance Director in 2013, contributing to the development of hockey at the grassroots level. In 2015, he was appointed head coach of India, a position he held until his removal in 2017.

He has also worked with Malaysia and Pakistan and is presently assisting the Chinese team at the request of fellow Dutchman and head coach Michel van den Heuvel.

“Let me be very clear, there is only one coach and that’s Michel and not me. I just came here for this tournament to support him on his request. My job is to scout players," Oltmans said.

Ranked 22nd globally, China has been making significant progress in world hockey, as demonstrated by their spirited performance against Paris Olympics bronze medallists and world No.7 India in their Asia Cup opener, which they narrowly lost 3-4.

Oltmans believes rankings are of little significance in modern-day hockey, a fact underscored by China’s display against India. He is confident that if not by LA2028, Chinese hockey will be a formidable force by the 2032 Olympics.

“It’s a very short time for him (Van den Heuvel) to make too many changes; he tried to bring in awareness and what he wants from the players. I must say they (China) have grown slowly from the last Asian Champions Trophy. In the Asian Champions Trophy, China were not able to score a goal against India in two matches and now they have scored three in one match. That is the difference."

“The way they are progressing, I believe, China will be there at the top league by the 2032 Olympics," Oltmans said.

Although Australia’s Anthony Farry is the official head coach of China, it is Van den Heuvel who is currently leading the team.

Oltmans considers India the clear favourites in the Asia Cup but chose to remain reserved about commenting further on Indian hockey.

“India is the best team in Asia, no doubt about that. Apart from that I don’t want to speak more about India."

Last year, just before the Asian Champions Trophy, Oltmans unexpectedly stepped down as Pakistan’s head coach, declining a short-term contract. His brief and tumultuous experience with Pakistan hockey last year has left him with a bitter feeling.

“No, no I am not going to work for them (Pakistan) anymore. No dues were left with Pakistan, everything is perfect, though it took a lot of time and patience."

Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...Read More

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital...

Read More

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First Published:

September 03, 2025, 15:12 IST

News sports Roelant Oltmans Open To Working With Indian Hockey Team? 'I Am Only Focused On...'

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