PHF decides to hire foreign coach but not Oltmans

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is looking for other options as the negotiations with Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans broke down ahead of the start of the national hockey camp here at the Bunda Ground from April 16.

‘The News’ has learnt that the PHF now looks for other options as the head coach of the national team for the two back-to-back international events starting with the Azlan Shah Cup from May 4-10 in Malaysia.

The PHF has decided in principle that a foreign coach except Oltmans will be hired as the head coach for these internationals and also for the commitments ahead. “We have decided to hire a foreigner as a head coach but not Oltmans. Negotiations have already started with a couple of international coaches from Spain and Holland. Hopefully, within the next few days we will be in a position to finalize the best available contender for the key post. There were some hurdles in hiring Oltmans as the head coach which turned out to be the reasons for not going ahead with our earlier plan,” a PHF official, when contacted, said.

The PHF within the next few days will announce the names of camp commandant and assistant coaches for the camp that gets underway in Islamabad from 16th. “All other team officials barring the head coach will be locals.”

The first phase of the camp will start on April 16 till the team’s departure for Azlan Shah Cup starting in Ipoh on May 4th. Besides Pakistan, New Zealand, Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Canada are to participate in the Azlan Shah Hockey.

The second phase of the camp is planned from May 15 till departure of the team for the Nations Cup getting underway in Poland from May 31. A victory in the Nations Cup to be held in Poland would help Pakistan improve its ranking and also take the Greenshirts into the Pro-League.

The city of Gniezno, Poland, hosting the Nations Cup will involve some of the best teams in the world: Poland, Korea, Malaysia, France, South Africa, Pakistan, Canada, Austria, and -- as the team relegated from the 2022-23 FIH Hockey Pro League season -- New Zealand. The PHF on Monday announced as many as 56 probables for the first phase of the national hockey camp. Probables include leading players from provinces and affiliated departments.