India an interesting option, says Oltmans

“India is an interesting option. I have always said that it will be interesting to coach the Indian team,” Oltmans said from Rome.

“I have not received any formal offer from India. I don’t know how my name is considered a front-runner for the job. As long as I do not receive any such offer, it will be premature to talk,” added the former coach of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic and Utrecht World Cup-winning Dutch team.

He, however, admitted that him accepting any offer to coach the Indian team would depend on many things.

“I will have to talk on many aspects before accepting any offer. As far as my availability is concerned, again it will depend on many things,” said the 57-year-old.

Impressed with Indian hockey’s glorious past, Oltmans termed the eight-time Olympic champions as a ‘sleeping giant’. “India are a sleeping giant who did not perform to their capabilities in the last one decade,” said Oltmans, the head coach of Pakistan in 2003–04.

The head coach of the men’s team of Larensche Mixed Hockey Club, Oltmans is happy with his current job. “Apart from coaching, I am also the performance manager of the National Olympic Committee (elite sports). I am happy with my job in my country,” he said. But Oltmans did not rule out any future possibility saying, “Never say never to anything.”

The Indian team is scheduled to play the eight-nation Champions Trophy at the Major Dhyan Chand National stadium from December 3-11, followed by the Olympic qualifier from February 15-26 next year.