Aussie Joseph to join Nobbs at camp

New Indian hockey coach Michael Nobbs and his assistant SS Grewal will touch base at the Sports Authority of India, South Centre campus here on Sunday evening before hitting the turf on Monday for a gruelling two-month long camp.

Nobbs will stay in the Garden City for only a week before returning later in the month to assume total charge. During his absence, Grewal will preside over the camp and will be assisted by Mohd Riaz, Jugraj Singh, Clarence Lobo, Baljit Singh Saini and BJ Cariappa.

More than 80 of the 91 probables have already hit their straps while Gurbaj Singh, Baljit Singh and Prabhjot Singh are scheduled to arrive on Sunday. Bharat Chikkara, Shivendra Singh and Dhanajay Mahadik are awaiting medical clearance. Coach Jugraj has taken a one-week leave and is expected to reach by the second week of July.

Nobbs, who has been offered a contract along with exercise physiologist David John, will also bring in Walter Joseph to structure the entire programme. Joseph, who will fly down from Perth on Sunday evening, will work with the coaches for a fortnight before returning home.

“While making his presentation to Hockey India, Nobbs had clearly asked for Joseph’s expertise,” said HI executive director Anupam Gulati. “The two work in tandem and Joseph will be around for a fortnight, making the blueprint for the training programme.

“While Nobbs and John have been offered long contracts, Joseph will only work for a short duration. He will return home after detailing the plans,”?added Gulati.