Clarence Lobo: I like Coaching Colts

Indian junior team’s coaching staff Clarence Lobo feels satisfied coaching colts as it is personally fulfilling experience.

Clarence Lobo, along with World Cup player Rajesh Chauhan, is a long standing junior coach, now assisting chief coach AK Bansal in India’s golden quest in the Singapore-Malaysia Junior World Cup.

“Junior players in general are full of zest for hockey. They obey your training and instructions as it meant to be. Even if you assume the liberty of scolding them, they take in their stride, won’t mind. We also forget those things once the training is over. Basically youngsters are building their career, serious in their work ethics’, Lobo said on the sidelines of Sengkong Sports Complex, Singapore, where the ninth junior world cup will commence in 24 hours.

“In junior coaching, you mould a player the way the senior Indian coach would like us to. Therefore, no coaching to the likes of me or any coach, but to train a player to the need of senior team. This is a kind of job I like most”, Lobo explained the reasons behind his long association with junior teams.

Lobo and Chauhan are putting the players under paces on Pitch 1 where India will play most of its pool matches.

Lobo is a vital link in the coaching staff, continuing under Bansal after Junior India coach Harendera moved to senior team after his stint till 2005 World Cup.

Lobo has been with junior teams since about last five years. His association with the Junior Asia Cup winning team enthuse him as if it took place the other day. “For our first Asia Cup we defeated Pakistan much against the 30 to 40 thousand home crowd, you know”, lobo’s eye glistens.

Lobo feels the turf in Singapore is less bouncy than the one India played at nearby Johor Bahru last month.

“This turf is true, and fast and it should help us, as our forwards are in good nick now”.

Take this man’s view seriously, he knows what he means.

Lobo plays hockey for Tata Sports Club