There's only one crazy person in the world, and that's why I'm staying: Roelant Oltmans

Is your new contract as head coach for the senior men's team finalised?

The sports ministry has to approve it in the end. But Hockey India and Sports Authority of India (SAI) have both given their go ahead. I was at SAI this (Thursday) morning, and there's no reason to fear. The formalities will be completed probably later this month.

You'll have a four-year term, which is quite rare for a coach in Indian hockey. Does that excite you or challenge you?

(Laughs) I was aware that it was going to happen, that's why I agreed upon this project. Because I believe that the Indian players – and not just the boys who are in the senior team right now, but even the junior guys – have shown very good hockey lately. So there's a lot of talent not only in the actual team, but also in the team that is behind them. So, it will be a really challenging period. But with a good programme and good support, we can really take that next step in world hockey. That's what we are aiming for, first the World Cup in 2018 and then (2020) Tokyo Olympics. And we're going to work really hard to make it happen over there.

What's the next step you are talking about? It is beating the big teams consistently, getting into the top three of the world rankings, or simply being at the top?

You have to set targets in anything that you do. I've always said that it will take six-eight years before we get consistent at the top level. So, from now we should manage to make semifinals of major tournaments again. That means you're in the top four, and when you're in the top four, you have 75 per cent chance of a medal. So that's what it is. We're aiming for medals now, there's no doubt about it.

A lot of foreign coaches have come and gone in a jiffy over the last few years. You've been the one constant amongst all those changes. What has attracted you to Indian hockey that you've decided to stay on for four more years?

I think there's only crazy person in the world, and that's why I'm staying (laughs).

That's not the only reason, surely?

Well, when I came here a couple of years ago (2013), I said there's only one reason why I came here, and that is I really feel that India has the potential to come back to where they belong, and that's to the top of world hockey. And the job is not done yet. We're on the right track, yes, but the job is not done. It's not finished. I have another four years to do it, and that's why I am still here.

Looking back at the Asian Champions Trophy, how satisfying was it to win the title?

Yes, the feeling was of satisfaction. The victory just confirms that we're the leading team in Asia. It's always good to get that confirmation. And even without playing our very best hockey, we won.

We saw you speaking briefly during the team huddle just moments after the victory against Pakistan in the final. What were you telling the boys?

I firstly congratulated them for the win. But also there was a small little note, that we still have to learn, because there were some moments in the game in which I wasn't satisfied, like the third quarter. But yes, my overall feeling was good.

Was there more pressure on the team to win the trophy, considering India were the favourites?

It's never easy to start a tournament as favourites, especially when you're not used to it. And India are not used to starting as favourites even in a tournament like this, because in the last few years we were not clear favourites. Only in the last year have we taken a huge step forward in terms of world ranking. So, it's something that you need to learn to cope with, because teams will then start playing defensively against you. They played more hockey based on counter-attacks than they normally do. So it's all about tactical changes as well as mental strength, both of which we really showed in this tournament.

How difficult was it to keep the emotions of the players in check before and during the final against Pakistan, more so due to the current political atmosphere between the two countries?

To be honest, it wasn't so difficult. I approach every match with Pakistan as more or less the same. I know there are emotions outside, I know the sentiments. I've worked in both the countries, so if there's any coach in the world who can understand the emotions of both sides, it's me. But I also know that the only way to get your best performance is to stick to the plan. It's about making sure that emotions are not leading you on the pitch, it's your brains and legs and arms. And I must say the boys did that very well. It was a very sporting game.

At some level, does this victory erase the disappointment of the Rio Olympics slightly?

There's still the Olympics disappointment because I feel we could've finished at a higher position (than the eighth) in the end. That was not what we were aiming for. But you can see that the boys have learnt from that. They understand it's not important what kind of hockey you play, it's the final result that matters. We learnt that from the Germans there, who didn't maybe play their best hockey but still managed to put up an outstanding performance. In this tournament, we scored goals in the fourth quarter to turn around games. So, we've learnt our lesson, and if you translate that properly, we can still go higher.

Were you pleased with the performance of youngsters in the team? A guy like Akash Chikte filled in for PR Sreejesh with aplomb, isn't it?

Of course. It's always good to bring relatively fresh players in the squad who are performing well. Akash was outstanding in the (league) match against Malaysia, and he was no less good in the final. He was in complete control of himself even during such an important game, and that's promising especially for him. For sure, he was disappointed at not going to the Olympics as our replacement goalkeeper, but in this tournament he showed what he was capable of. And that is what it's all about. You get your chances, you have to step up. And Akash absolutely did.

And what about the old warhorse, Sardar Singh? Many wrote him off but he showed glimpses of his former magical self in this tournament...

Well, in the final weekend (semifinal and final), he stepped up to be the great player again. And that's what we'll like to see in him. It's a little bit too early to say goodbye to him, when he is showing this kind of a performance. But it's not just black and white here. His performance has not been at his own high levels lately, but I was really pleased with the way he was playing in the last two matches. He's a great player still, there's no doubt about it.