Paul van Ass Unlikely to Return as Hockey Coach, Oltmans May Take Over

Paul van Ass is unlikely to return as India's chief hockey coach. The national federation, after a meeting on Friday, said the Dutch coach was not responding to any communication and his return remains in the dark.

Van Ass though claims he hasn't been contacted by Indian officials at all even now. "I've never been incommunicado," Van Ass told NDTV. "They don't want me in India"

Harbinder Singh, head of the eight-member Hockey India committee discussing the Van Ass issue, said, "Coach issue was discussed. We have made a recommendation to Hockey India after which they will take a decision." Hockey India officials are likely to meet Sports Authority of India officials to take a final call on Van Ass' future. The SAI pays the Dutch coach's wages.

Indications are that high-performance manager Roelant Oltmans is likely to take over as chief coach. The Dutch super coach is expected to guide Indian senior team in the World Hockey League Finals later this year and the Rio Olympics 2016.

Hockey India president Narendra Batra has told NDTV on Tuesday that Paul van Ass' behaviour during the World Hockey League semis in Antwerp (Belgium) was unacceptable. India performed poorly in the knockout matches earlier this month and Batra admitted he had an altercation with the Dutch coach who took over in January.

"I had an altercation with Paul van Ass and he was very rude to me," Batra said. A strongman in India's sports administration, Batra had a verbal duel with Van Ass during India's match against Malaysia. The coach was upset that the Hockey India president was crossing his limits by slamming the players on the pitch.

Van Ass claimed on Monday that his contract has been terminated by Hockey India.

(Inputs from Vimal Mohan, Yash Chawla)