National championship without National Coach!

When Michael Nobbs left India in mid-August for a short break back home with his family, he was expected to return in early September. In fact, Nobbs appeared very keen to return in time to be able to witness the knockout stages of the junior nationals (in Lucknow earlier this month) and also be present for the major tournaments in the senior category – the Murugappa Cup in Chennai and the ongoing senior national championships.

September’s come and gone and the senior nationals in Bangalore have entered the knockout stages and yet, there is no trace of Nobbs. It’s all the more strange since the national championships will form the basis for selections of probables for the national team, ahead of the Champions Trophy in December.

“I am hoping to be present at every domestic competition now on to try and find new talent. It’s very important if we have to develop a good team and have enough bench strength. And with the size of the country and the number of players here, it is not possible for India to lack talent,” he had said before leaving for Australia. But till date, Nobbs continues to be in Australia, waiting to return.

Apparently, he is waiting for some letter to be signed by the sports ministry to confirm is continuation as India coach. Nobbs, contacted in Australia, confirmed he was keen to return as soon as possible and was waiting for official go-ahead to come back to the Indian team. Ministry officials, however, when contacted claim that there was no delay from their side.

“I don’t know what the problem is or why he is still to return. I don’t remember any objections or problem,” a ministry official said.

But in his absence, the selection of probables will most likely be held the way it has always been done – by selectors who do not recognise most of the players with the coach given a list of players to work with, most of whom he would not have seen ever before in competition.

In the meanwhile, the Indian government continues to pay him A$ 11,000 (approx Rs. 5.5 lakh) as monthly salary even as the coach himself continues to wait for official permission to return and take charge of his team.