Oltmans, Walsh not to get salary from SAI during HIL

The Hockey India secretary-general Narinder Batra on Thursday clarified that they have sought the permission from Sports Authority of India (SAI) to allow Roelant Oltmans and Terry Walsh to coach their respective teams in the Hockey India League (HIL).

The two, however, will not be paid by SAI during their one month association with HIL.
Oltmans, who is the high performance director with Hockey India, is the coach of Uttar Pradesh Wizards, while the newly appointed men’s coach Walsh is also the coach of Kalinga Lancers in HIL. Both Oltmans and Walsh are employed by SAI.

"We have got all the permissions. I have got letters from SAI dated January 20 stating both Oltmans and Walsh can coach HIL teams," Batra, who is also the HIL chairman, told reporters on the sidelines of the trophy unveiling ceremony of the 2014 HIL and the launch of its mascot 'Gaurav’, which means pride.

"However, they won't get their salaries from SAI during during the HIL.”

Batra confirmed that most of the top international players would be available for HIL.
“Only five players from last year are not here. It is because of their personal reasons, either fatigue or the forthcoming World Cup. We have a total of 144 players this year, which includes 72 Olympians from all over the world. The tournament will be telecast in 181 countries,” he said.

Batra said the HIL would help widen the players’ pool. 

"The first edition gave us three players out of which two of them are now in the senior men team. And I hope this year too, we will witness new talents. Through HIL, we are looking to widen the pool of players, which will be visible in next 2-3 years," he said.