Paul van Ass Returns to India as UP Rudras Coach, Emphasizes HIL’s Importance for Indian Hockey
Paul van Ass, the renowned Dutch hockey coach, has decided to step back from international hockey after guiding the Dutch women’s team to Olympic gold in Paris. The 64-year-old, who also coached the Netherlands men’s team to silver at the 2012 London Olympics, believes it’s time for him to prioritize his business and personal life.
Despite his retirement from international coaching, van Ass remains passionate about hockey and has returned to India as the chief coach of UP Rudras in the revamped Hockey India League (HIL). He believes that the HIL can play a crucial role in developing Indian hockey, particularly for the women’s team.
“The big problem for a country like India is that you lack good quality games,” van Ass said. “In the Netherlands, we play maybe 50 games in a season, here you’re limited to 15. By the time the tournament is on and you start getting the picture, often it is too late.”
The HIL, with its high level of play and international exposure, can provide Indian players with the necessary experience and confidence to compete at the international level. “It will help in the long run. It will add up to what the Indian women’s team has now because the players will get used to playing with top international players,” van Ass said.
Van Ass also highlighted the importance of the HIL’s structure, which limits the number of overseas players and mandates the inclusion of four juniors. “It is a very smart way of energizing Indian hockey,” he said. “Don’t forget your Hardiks and Harmanpreets all emerged from the HIL and now they are international stars and double Olympic medallists.”
While acknowledging the progress made by China in hockey, van Ass believes that the HIL can help India bridge the gap. “It is very good for Indian hockey. I know that the international hockey community is watching and players want to be a part of it,” he said. “The HIL will give the Indian women the spotlight. It starts small but if they can come up and grow, it is a good way to give hockey here international standard.”