Oltmans likely to be new hockey coach

The search for a foreign coach for Indian men's hockey team is all but over with Dutchman Roelant Oltmans emerging as the front-runner to take over the job for a five-year term.

Oltmans' name emerged as the favourite after he appeared for an interview before the Sports Authority of India and Hockey India officials along with other two candidates - twice Olympic and world champion Jacques Brinkman of Netherlands and former Australian Olympian Michael Jack Nobbs.

Later, talking to the media, SAI Director General Desh Deepak Verma said that they have identified a candidate out of the three for the high-profile job and will now send their recommendation to the sports ministry for approval.

"We had a meeting with three people - two from Netherlands and one from Australia - who presented their case before us.

"After discussions, we have zeroed in on one candidate and will now send the recommendation to the ministry," Verma told reporters at the SAI office on Tuesday.

He added: "The new coach will be given a contract till 2016 Olympics because we now have to think about long-term associations."

Although the new coach will be provided a long-term contact, his performance will be evaluated after every international outing.

Asked about the remuneration of the new foreign coach, Verma said, "It would be slightly expensive than the last foreign coach but I guess we can afford that for Indian hockey.

"In addition, his contract will also have provision for incentives if we qualify for the (2012 London) Olympics," he said.