Oeltmans gets free hand, Pak scores goals

Oeltmans came in on a contract fixed till December 2004 — unlike in the past, when coaches enjoyed no such security — and was promised a free hand to bring out the best among the players and unearth new talent.

And the Pakistan Hockey Federation delivered. Oeltmans not only got the team he wanted, but also the support staff he needed. The Pakistan team now has, besides an assistant and a goalkeeping coach, a psychologist, a video recording specialist, three officials to help with the administration, and the promise of extra hands whenever required.

Oeltmans himself affirms that it was difficult getting used to a completely different culture, both socially and gamewise. ‘‘There is more emphasis on seniority and skills here, and less on fitness and strength. All I try to do is inculcate more respect and awareness about the high fitness standards in world hockey today, and what the players need to reach there. The idea is to ensure they imbibe European tactical superiority and fitness to complement their traditional stick wizardry, not supplement it.’’

The changes were slow, admits PHF secretary Brig. (retd) Musarrat Ullah Khan. ‘‘We started with tightening the defence, and then went on to other areas’’, he told The Indian Express. ‘‘Oeltmans has been with the team for almost a year now and in this period, we have defeated all top teams in the world, including India, and more than once. That is no fluke.’’

It was a slow-burn initiation. The first test came in the Afro-Asian Games, less than a month after Oeltmans took over, where Pakistan finished second. They failed to retain the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in January this year, again finishing runners-up.

Since then, though, the ‘‘Oeltmans touch’’ has been clearly evident in all aspects of the team, especially as far as results go (see box).

The Oeltmans effect is visible elsewhere too. More than 40 youngsters have been brought into national camps, there are regular fitness sessions to test all players, there is a definite on-field plan, the Pak defence appears more compact, talent and quality is given preference over seniority, and, most important, players are learning the virtues of discipline.

Ask the immensely talented Mohammad Saqlain, the enfant terrible of Pak hockey, now duly chastised and back in the team after sitting out the Olympics.

The catchline here is professionalism. For perhaps the first time, the PHF stuck to its decision to bring all-out changes. For once, there’s a lesson India needs desperately to learn.