“I think it is an interesting job to get India where it belongs — the top.” This is the sentiment expressed by the Dutch legend, Ties Kruize, in an e-mail exchange on the appointment of a foreign hockey coach.
This observation mirrors the concerns of stalwarts across the globe over the decadence of our hockey structure for decades. Many are unable to fathom why this malaise of poor administration and inept coaching cannot be cured by pragmatic orientation.
Media speculation here ranged from Germany's Paul Lissek, Australia's Barry Dancer, Micheal Nobbs, Dutchmen Roelant Oltmans and Jacques Brinkmann as possible choices.
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All the candidates have impeccable credentials. But measured in terms of achievement in the absence of Dancer and Lissek — both are unavailable — the choice falls on Oltmans. A household name in the Netherlands, nay, across the hockey playing nations, Oltmans had led the talented Dutch teams on parade in the World Cup, Olympic Games and Champions Trophy Championships. More importantly, Oltmans' love for Indian hockey is genuine.
He came all the way to Poznan in 1993 to witness the Indian team in action at the World Cup qualifier. Not long after, he flew from Kuala Lumpur after the Champions Trophy for the India-Pakistan Test at Karachi.
“How can I not come here when I know India and Pakistan are playing a Test,” he told this writer. The Dutchman's dream of coaching in the sub-continent came true when Pakistan hired Oltmans. But the stint was not exactly successful. He left somewhat disillusioned.
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Several top coaches had the desire to handle the Indian national teams. Since the Eighties when Horst Wein reiterated in more than one forum on India's need for a new orientation on artificial pitches, quite a handful of them — Paul Lissek included — were keen on coaching in India. To say a foreign coach possesses the magic wand to transform India's fortunes is absurd.
None will be prepared to give such a guarantee. But a shrewd tactician like Oltmans can inject an element of variety.
It is gathered that Brinkmann, an outstanding mid-fielder, will be used for a short stint perhaps up to the Olympics, and Oltmans for a longer period. Such delineation remains to be worked out once the process of selection is complete.
Those lining up for the post are presumed to have acquired sufficient background on the working conditions peculiar to the sub-continent.
The work culture is different and often exasperating. Jose Brasa has had enough of that during his tenure.
Whoever finally gets the nod is advised to put every requirement in black and white.
With the national camp set to start at Bangalore on July 1, the issue of identifying a foreign coach cannot be deferred for long.