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**By APD writer Muhammad Sohail **
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 28 (APD) – The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) made a major announcement on Wednesday, by appointing World Cup-winning Dutch trainer Roelant Oltmans as the new head coach for the country’s national field hockey team, a statement said.
Oltmans, 63, has been given a two-year contract by the federation. He will join the national squad on March 7 in the country’s southern port city of Karachi.
"We have reached an agreement with Oltmans," said PHF Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, "We acquired his services due to his vast experience."
"He will also help the PHF in setting up the structure of our hockey academies,” said the official.
Having coached the Dutch as well as the Indian national hockey team, the veteran Dutchman brings a vast experience with himself.
He was also a part of the Netherlands side that defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the final of the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup in Pakistan.
Oltmans, who last visited Pakistan in 2004, becomes the first foreign head coach of Pakistan's hockey team in eight years. The last time a Dutchman was in charge of the national team, who helped Pakistan team winning a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games.
The year 2018 is considered an important one for the national hockey team as it is scheduled to partake in Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy and the World Cup.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
