THE JAMAICA Hockey Federation (JHF) has employed Dutch coach Doudewijn Castelijn in a move to qualify for the World Cup in 2006.

Castelijn is scheduled to make four trips to Jamaica this year, the first of which is slated from January 19-31.

The Dutchman's stay has been financed by four companies, headed by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, whose first secretary, Roelof Buffinga, said Castelijn was keen to tackle the goals set by the JHF.

"The goals that the JHF has set itself are very ambitious indeed with maybe 1000 players, one astro turf (pitch) and a very limited competition ... but the Dutch coach assured me he would not have taken up the challenge had he not had the conviction that these goals were attainable," Buffinga said.

The Dutch Embassy is backed by Martinair, Van Leer Foundation and Petcom Limited in sponsoring Castelijn, who took the South African women's team to the World Cup in 1998 and qualified the US women's team for the Olympics.

Castelijn, according to JHF president Carol Sewell, has been asked by the board to focus on five areas.

These, Sewell stated are (1) to evaluate coaches and recommend strategies for development in view of the JHF goal to reach World Cup 2006; (2) evaluate national and junior teams as it relates to the internationally acceptable standards for turf skills; (3) to assist in reformulating the JHF's six-year plan; (4) conduct seminars and coaching clinics and finally to maintain dialogue with the coaching and development committee.