Monday, March 1, 2010

It aint over til Oltmans sings..

MALAYSIAN Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said yesterday that he can’t comment on the Roelant Oltmans saga, as nothing is con firmed until he signs an agreement.
Former Netherlands coach Oltmans has been courted by the MHF since the Asia Cup in Kuantan last year, where he flew down for a meeting with the top-brass.
However, a day after National Sports Council (NSC) di rector general Datuk Zolkples Embong said the coach is almost in the bag, Larensche Mixed Hockey Club (LMHC) threw a damper with a posting in their website www.lmhc.nl.
The posting read: “The board of LMHC would like to clarify the situation with our technical director and coach Roelant Oltmans.
“Despite media reports, Oltmans will remain attached with Laren for the next two seasons.”
Oltmans has a two-year contract with Laren, but the MHF had offered him a lucrative package, with Euro 10,000 (RM50,000) as his monthly pay if he jumps over.
“I can’t comment on Oltmans, as nothing is confirmed until we sign the agreement,” said Tengku Abdullah.
When asked if the MHF will still look for a foreign coach if the Oltmans deal is not sealed: “Yes, we will keep hunting for a foreign coach,” said Tengku Abdullah.
Oltmans has experience in coaching the Dutch national side as well as Pakistan and is currently with clubside Laren.
Besides, Oltmans has a part-time position at the Dutch National Olympic Council.
Right now, local coaches Stephen van Huizen and Tai Beng Hai are coaching the national team, with the Asia Champions Trophy in April as their first assignment.
The most important tournament this year is the Asian Games, which offers the champion a direct ticket to the 2013 London Olympics.