Roelant Oltmans Emerges as Top Contender for Pakistan Men's Hockey Team Coach
The training camp for the national team is to commence on April 15th.
As preparations intensify ahead of the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup in Malaysia, Dutch field hockey coach Roelant Oltmans is reportedly a frontrunner for the coaching position of the Pakistan men's national hockey team once again.
Oltmans has a storied history with the Pakistani team, having previously managed them from 2003 to 2004 and then returning for a second stint in 2018. Despite brief spells with Malaysia and Dutch club SV Kampong, Oltmans has maintained his connection with Pakistan, even coaching the Pakistan Junior Hockey Team as recently as last year.
Pakistan Confirms Participation in FIH Nations Hockey Cup in Poland
The upcoming training camp for the national team, slated to commence on April 15 at the sports complex in Islamabad, aims to prepare the squad for the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. An announcement regarding the probable players for the training camp is expected soon.
The Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, featuring six teams including hosts Malaysia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, holds significant historical importance, with Pakistan clinching the gold medal three times since its inception in 1983.
Tariq Bugti, President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), stressed the importance of having a foreign coach in modern-day hockey to align with the sport's evolving landscape. Bugti aims to elevate Pakistan's ranking to the top six in the world within the next two years, emphasizing the need for strategic improvements in coaching and player development.
Addressing concerns over player dues, Bugti assured captains of the senior and junior hockey teams that outstanding payments would be settled in the coming weeks. He pledged to prioritize player welfare and enhance Pakistan's standing in international hockey, promising extensive training camps and ongoing discussions with relevant stakeholders to drive positive change within the sport.
