Hockey: Pakistan hopes to change with new Dutch Coach Michel van den Heuvel
The last ranking team of the 2010 Hockey World Cup in Delhi needs new enthusiasm to regain past glory. Four-time World Champions, Pakistan have been struggling with their efforts in hockey tournaments for the last 5 years. In these years they could only manage to win Azlan Shah Cup. With no luck in World Cups, Champions Trophy, Olympics, Asian Championship, or even the South Asian Games this year.
Pakistan, 4-time World Champions and 3-time Olympic Champions, in the recent past have been off colour. They have not been able to evolve in terms of technique, strategy and rules. Now they have employed the services of Dutch Coach Michel van den Heuvel, to reform Pakistani Hockey. The decision has been closely scrutinised and doubts have been raised about a foreign coach’s ability to change the technique of the Green Shirts.
Some Olympians seriously doubt a foreign coach will benefit the players who have now been playing hockey for more than 10 years. Michel van den Heuvel, is the third Dutch coach for the Pakistani team. Before him Hans Jorritsma and Oltmans have coached the team. Hans Jorritsma was the Head Coach when Pakistan won the World Cup in Sydney by defeating the Dutch side on penalty strokes in 1994. The all important question here is, can Heuvel deliver in the allocated time before the 2012 Olympics in London?
Pakistan Hockey Federation was searching for a foreign coach after their World Cup debacle and approached different coaches, including, German Coach Paul Lissek and Australian Barry Dancer. But both turned down the offer because of security concerns. Michel van den Heuvel took a brave decision to come to a terrorism struck country that is not able to host an international event after the attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore, 2009. He was coaching the Dutch side and took them to the victory stand with a bronze medal in the recent World Cup. He developed differences with the local federation over the method of preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
Haeuvel will get 10,000 Euros or 1.1 million rupees per month as a head coach of Pakistan. He will be assisted by supporting staff. He is interested in hiring a goal keeping coach and a fitness coach for getting the desired results. While watching the football World Cup match in his hotel room in Karachi, he said that he wants the Pakistani team to be like the Argentinean football team in their approach towards the game. He will be facing some stiff challenges from the local administration and the worst will be the selection matters.
Hanif Khan, Pakistan Chief Selector has already laid down the gauntlet and said that if the Dutch man does not allow the selection committee to play its part, then either he would leave or the new coach would have to quit. Whereas the Dutch coach wants total independence in selecting his band of players. Something that is difficult in Pakistan hockey where politics is the determining factor.
Haeuvel’s first task will be the tour of Europe in July where Pakistan will play against Spain and Holland. He is not seeing the Commonwealth and Asian games as the target but considering London 2012 as his main target. Only time will tell whether will he be able to work like Hans Jorritsma to help Green shirts back on the medal list or like Oltmans, who at-least improved the international ranking of the team.
Pakistan has not always benefited from Dutch coaches, such as Wouter Tazelaar, who failed to make an impact on Pakistani team fitness levels before the 2010 World Cup. Change in Pakistani hockey requires young players who can easily adapt to changes and learn new techniques. Selection should be mutually decided between Coach and Selection Committee so that nepotism doesn’t come into play and overshadow the performance of the team.
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