CHENNAI/MUMBAI: After a week’s ‘mystery’ surrounding India hockey chief coach Paul van Ass’ sudden disappearance and contrary to Hockey India claims, the Dutchman confirmed that he has been axed, though unofficially.
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According to him, he was conveyed the message a week after India’s disappointing World Hockey League semifinals in Antwerp through High Performance director Roelant Oltmans.
Subsequent to van Ass not turning up at the national camp, which started on July 18 in Shilaroo, there were rumours that he was exit-bound, following tiffs with HI chief Narinder Batra. On Monday, he cleared the air: “How am I supposed to join the camp when I was sacked a week after the tournament? I was informed through Oltmans that I was fired. HI did not even send me tickets to attend the camp.”
Van Ass, who had a three-year-contract starting this January, did not submit the performance-analysis report either. “Why should I when they no longer want me? Now I’m just waiting for the official confirmation,” he added.
It was reported that there was a war of words between him and Batra after India’s WHL match against Malaysia in Antwerp. During the post-match team-talk, Batra reportedly entered the pitch and rebuked some of the players in Hindi. This irked van Ass, and he promptly told Batra to stay off the turf.
All this while, HI had maintained that they were in the dark about van Ass.