New Delhi, Sept 2 — Hockey India today sacked national coach Roelant Oltmans after a string of unimpressive outings at the international level.
High Performance Director David John will be in charge till a suitable replacement is found for a smooth transition of the the men's team.
The decision was taken during the three-day meeting of the Hockey India High Performance and Development Committee, which concluded today.
Though the federation did not say it in as many words, it is apparent that the HI bosses are not impressed with the Dutchman.
"Key decisions taken included Chief Coach Roelant Oltmans to step down," Hockey India said in a release.
"While Roelant Oltmans role as Chief Coach in improving the teams' overall fitness and cohesiveness has been appreciated, the results are what matter and the performance of the team has not been consistent or up to the desired levels."
The power-packed meeting to assess the way forward for Indian hockey was attended by over 24 members over the last three days.
Harbinder Singh, chairman of the Hockey India Selection Committee, said, "The Committee was convened since we are collectively not satisfied with the Indian Men's Hockey team's performance in 2016 and 2017 and feels that wins in Asia can't be a benchmark for success any more.
"We need to show results beyond intent in key international tournaments where the sporadic success over the last two years is more incidental than deliberate. To make results a reality, we need to make hard decisions for the greater good of the future of Hockey in India.
"The current format of coaching was not showing results beyond a certain level. The Committee unanimously agreement that immediate action was required to be taken and while change may not always be comfortable it is essential if we want to position ourselves as a serious global contender for the upcoming critical tournaments in 2018 including the Asian Games & World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games."
8 Winter Olympic Sports Women Were Barred From
Cross-Country Skiing: 1952(01 of08)
Open Image ModalFirst men's competition: 1924
Cross-country was the last of the ski disciplines to go co-ed, but ladies still got an early start compared to other sports. Look how "pretty and eligible" the women's ski team was in 1960. (credit:LIFE magazine, February 8, 1960)
Speed Skating: 1960(02 of08)
Open Image ModalFirst men's competition: 1924
Women competed in international competitions for over 30 years before ladies' speed skating officially debuted in the 1960 Olympic games. (credit: ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Biathlon: 1992(03 of08)
Open Image ModalFirst men's competition: 1924
With origins in Norwegian military training, the biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Because, of course. Biathletes carry their rifles for the duration of the race. This year, men and women will compete in a mixed relay together for the first time. (credit:Associated Press)
Curling: 1998(04 of08)
Open Image ModalMen's competition: 1924
Curling really had to hustle before it was fully incorporated into the Olympic games. It was included only as a "demonstration sport" in many games between 1924 and 1998 before finally earning official status, when a women's event was also added. (credit:Associated Press)
Ice Hockey: 1998(05 of08)
Open Image ModalFirst men's competition: 1924
Perhaps people thought women's hockey was less fun to watch, given women's terribly boring habit of using their words to work out disagreements. (credit:Atsushi Tomura via Getty Images)
Bobsleigh: 2002(06 of08)
Open Image ModalSki Jumping: 2014(07 of08)
Open Image ModalSki jumping will be offered for women for the first time ever at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Winners scores are given based on distance, style, inrun length and wind conditions. Luckily, women are famously good multi-taskers (credit:Adam Pretty via Getty Images)
Nordic Combined: Still Waiting...(08 of08)
Open Image ModalFirst men's competition: 1924
The Nordic Combined includes cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Women compete in Olympic cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Here are all the women allowed to compete in the Nordic Combined in 2014. (credit:Cultura/Manuel Sulzer via Getty Images)