HI opens the door for Nobbs with a 5-year contract
Uthra G Chaturvedi
Australia’s Michael Jack Nobbs is India’s new hockey coach. The 57-year-old starts his first international assignment as in charge of a men’s team with the immediate goal of helping India qualify for the 2012 Olympics. For someone who happens to be deeply influenced by the sub-continent brand of hockey, Nobbs, in his first interaction with media, said that, like in the past, Indian hockey can reach lofty heights.
“Hockey in Australia is heavily influenced by India and if they can be the number one team in the world, I don’t see any reason why India can’t rise to the top,” he said. An upbeat Nobbs didn’t seem to be too concerned about the ugly and premature end to the stint of previous foreign coaches — most notably his team mate from 1984 Olympics Ric Charlesworth. “I don’t have any reservations. I have had a long association with Indian hockey and have grown up playing Indian style of hockey,” he said.
Sports Authority of India DG Desh Deepak Verma said that Nobbs was preferred over Dutchman Roelant Oltmans as the Australian style of play was very similar to that of the Indians.
“The selection was based on several factors, most importantly his experience, organising capabilities and the presentation made by the candidates. What weighed heavily in his favour is the fact that the Australian style of hockey is similar to ours,” Verma said.
Asked if Nobbs would retain the job even if India failed to qualify for London, Verma said, “Through our past experience we have learnt that we need a long-term engagement (with the coach). The added incentive is for qualifying but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we need a long-term development plan.”
Those involved in the negotiations say that Oltmans’ heavy prize tag was one of the factors that went against him. “Oltmans was more expensive, but that was the least important part. He was insistent on getting his complete team of supprot staff along with him plus he wanted no interference in selection matters. That last conditions was tough since we just cannot do away with the selection committee — it’s government policy. These issues matter,” said a SAI source.
On the other hand, Nobbs, who will be paid A$ 5000 per month, will be getting just an exercise physiologist — David John — with him. “HI has agreed to contribute to the expenses of other foreign support staff if we need in future,” Verma said.
On selection, Nobbs is open to suggestions. “I have been given freedom in what I want to do. I will welcome suggestions because I don’t don’t know all the players right now. I also feel that there should be different opinions on selection issues,” he said.
Nobbs will start work almost immediately, flying to Bangalore for the month-long camp on July 3 for a week before returning at the end of the month. Former Indian players Mohd Riyaz and Baljit Singh Saina will be assisting Nobbs during the Bangalore camp.
Charlesworth warns of hockey politics
While acknowledging the coaching credentials of his former team mate Michael Nobbs, Ric Charlesworth spoke about the challenges the lay ahead of India’s new coach. “He was a very skillful player and knows hockey. I suspect his real difficulties will be getting support off the field and dealing with Indian hockey politics,” said Charlesworth, who in the past has served as India’s hockey consultant.