IPOH – Roelant Oltmans has made it clear that the internal power struggles that happened within the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will not affect his team’s mentality in their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup campaign.
Under the guidance of the experienced Dutchman, the world’s number 15 side will face defending champions Malaysia in their opening clash at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh tonight.
Pakistan, known as the “Flying Green Horses” by their fans, have made 15 appearances in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and won the tournament thrice (1999, 2000 and 2003) since its inception in 1983.
The team arrived for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on April 27 from Islamabad and had only three days to train for the tournament.
Speaking to Scoop, Oltmans said that he had no time to think about the issues that had happened and was fully focused on forming a formidable team for the future after missing out on this year’s Paris Olympics.
The South Asian team have made a total of 16 appearances at the Olympics since their first participation in the 1948 edition in London.
Aside from missing this year’s Paris Olympics, Pakistan, who have won a total of eight Olympic medals (three golds, three silvers and two bronzes), also failed to qualify for the 2016 edition in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo 2020.
“I’m honestly not bothered about whatever has happened and I’m clear with my goal, focusing on delivering through my job.
“Not only me, but the entire team is not bothered about the issue and our mentality is not shattered. We are all on the same page and aiming to do better than before, improving ourselves every day.
“As a coach, I’m here to do my job and will continue doing it peacefully, without letting any of those issues happening outside the turf distract me and my players,” said Oltmans when met at the Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh on Thursday.
Oltmans made a bold decision by including seven players from the Men’s Junior World Cup in the final 18-player squad for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, scheduled to kick off tomorrow and until May 11.
Previously, Scoop reported that Pakistan’s participation in the invitational tournament was uncertain due to the power struggles within the PHF, which is believed to have two associations under its supervision.
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will see a total of six teams participating: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea and defending champions Malaysia. – May 4, 2024