Finally, Nobbs is returning to India with David John on hand

Having been gone for more than two months, Indian men’s hockey coach Michael Nobbs is finally on his way back. Not only that, he has also tried to end all speculation regarding the availability of exercise physiologist David John, confirming his continuation with the national team.

Nobbs, who left India in the middle of August after the team returned from the London Olympics, had gone back to Australia for a short break. While he had originally planned to return after just 10 days, the absence of an official confirmation from Hockey India (HI) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) meant he had to remain in Australia all this while.

In fact, stick2hockey.com was the first to highlight the absence of not only Nobbs for such a long time but also that there was no clarity on his return, prompting the Indian authorities to hasten the formalities of his contract. But now Nobbs may well return within the next week to take charge of the national team currently training in Patiala.

“I am coming back shortly and will be trying to get a flight out as soon as I can,” Nobbs told stick2hockey.com from Sydney. In fact, he revealed that he expected to pick up his Indian visa by Tuesday and was planning to come back by the end of this week. While waiting for an official approval from the Indian authorities, Nobbs spent precious time with his family after almost a year. “It’s been great being with my girls and following their growth, but I am really keen to return to the team as well and join them in Patiala,” he added.

The Indian probables have been undergoing training in Patiala under coaches Mohd. Riaz and Clarence Lobo since the beginning of October. While Nobbs had been expected to return in the first week of September and was keen to witness the knockout stages of the junior and senior national championships and pick out deserving candidates for the probables. But now, he will join the team directly in Patiala and take charge immediately as the probables prepare for the upcoming Lanco Series and Champions Trophy later this year.

Asked about David, Nobbs said any rumour or speculation about his refusal to come back to India was incorrect. “David will be coming soon to join the team,” he said. There had been reports of David being unhappy with his pay and refused to return unless he got a raise, but Nobbs insisted it wasn’t true.

With this, hopefully, things in Indian hockey will finally return to normal and end further speculation on the future of the Indian team.