Good show by India at Junior World Cup will augur well for 2020 Games: Roelant Oltmans

What is the significance of this Junior World Cup in the overall picture of Indian hockey?

Of course, it is important, because it shows that this age group has the potential to get into the seniors shortly. This set of juniors and seniors will be, in the end, the group of core probables that will prepare for the next senior World Cup (in 2018) and the next (2020) Olympics. So, it's important for these players to show themselves well and put on a show this time, especially since we didn't perform up to expectations in the last Junior World Cup and the matches are going to be played in India and broadcast live. This group has to do it now, and I think they can.

You've been with Indian hockey as high performance director for over three years now, even overlooking the junior team during that period. How much promise do you see in the players coming through from the grassroots?

The strength and quality of the players coming through from the grassroots is increasing, and that is also important. We still need to work on that. But we've started a national hockey academy now, and they have better, younger players. Kids between 14 and 18 can showcase themselves over there. So, the system is there, and when that system is in place and the players train in the right way, they become better. That's a really important thing for the benefit of Indian hockey in the long run.

How important is it to have a solid junior team performing well for the growth of the sport in the country?

It's really important, because if the base is not there, you can perform at a certain level for a short period of time, not more. You want to be there consistently in the long run. And that means you want to make sure that your U-21s are good, your U-18s are good, so that every time when people are retiring or forced to stop, the young bunch can take over their places smoothly. We want to take on the best teams around the world, so it's necessary that we do this.

Does success in the junior circuit necessarily translate into the senior rank as a team?

Yes. It's not a necessity, but it is a strong indication that the future of the sport in your country is getting better. If you take a look at the teams around the world where I've coached before, for instance The Netherlands. They had a team for around 10 years that was a very good mixture of the senior guys and juniors who played very well in the Junior World Cup. So if you make that combination, it fits well. You can see that with the current Germany team as well. Quite a number of players in their senior squad right now are players who have won the Junior World Cup. So, it's a clear indication that if you do well in the Junior World Cup, it will affect positively on the success of the senior national team in the long run.

So if India are to do well in this Junior World Cup, does it augur well for the 2020 Tokyo Games?

Absolutely. I'm sure it will have an effect on that. It does not say everything, but for sure it will mentally help the players who will be there in two and three years' time. If players come with a big result in a World Cup behind them, they come a little bit different in the mindset. We didn't have the luxury of that the last time with the senior team, when India finished 10th in the Junior World Cup. And yet, the same bunch came into the senior team and won medals in big tournaments over the last couple of years. So it shows that it doesn't say everything, but it is a big indication.

How do you analyse this Indian squad for the Junior World Cup? They're coming into the tournament with some very positive results behind them...

It's difficult to rate any squad on junior level because you never know exactly which teams are going with which players, and if they bring some players from the senior team as well. That is something we can find out only once all the teams are here.

But we have junior players as well as players who have won medals at the Champions Trophy (silver in 2016). So, it's clear that we have a good mixture of some experience and very talented players. I enjoy every moment working with them, simply because they are so eager to learn, they're focused, they know what they're here for, and they show that every single minute of the day. I love to see them preparing themselves for the big event.

Finally, do you see this team on the podium in 10 days' time?

India is one of the medal contenders, no doubt about it. But once again, it's difficult until we see and play all the other teams. We have to wait and watch how consistently the boys perform on that day, how they cope with the pressure, what kind of a mindset they bring into their first game. All those kind of aspects kick in. And it's a bit unpredictable because the boys don't have a lot of experience in playing these kind of major tournaments. So, that's the only thing that we have to find out, but I really believe this team is calm, focused and have the potential to go all the way.