Where is Indian hockey coach Michael Nobbs?

BANGALORE: The national hockey camp is scheduled from October 15 but there is no news about the return of chief coach Michael Nobbs and exercise physiologist David John.

Hockey India secretary-general Narinder Batra added to the intrigue on Tuesday when he said that he is clueless about the inordinate delay.

The contracts of both Nobbs and John were up for review after the London Olympics debacle. Hockey India is in favour of their continuation and indicated so when it forwarded their files to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) recently. SAI, in turn, has sent it to the sports ministry for its approval so that the two Australians’ visas can be processed.

“We from Hockey India have approved their files. It has been sent to the Sports Authority of India which has in turn forwarded to the sports ministry. I am not sure why the ministry has delayed it. Once the ministry approves it, the visa process takes a week,” said Batra on the sidelines of the Senior Men’s National Championships here.

Sports ministry sources said the file is pending with the finance ministry and will be cleared soon.

In any case, assistant coaches Mohammad Riaz, BJ Cariappa and Clarence Lobo will be in charge of the camp that will have a pool of 48 players. “Until the arrival of Nobbs and John, the camp will be conducted by Indian coaches Riaz, Lobo and Cariappa,” Batra said.

With the SAI turf in Bangalore too old and worn out and Patiala hosting the women’s camp, Batra said Pune would be a likely option. “We initially intended to have it in Patiala. But I’ve been informed that they can host only the women’s camp and not the men’s. I need to go back and decide on a new venue. Bangalore is not a possibility because of the poor condition of the turf. If nothing works out, Pune may be the last option,” he said.

Talking about the Olympic debacle, Batra said he would question five Indian players who have failed to send their reports. “All players had to send their reports after the Olympics. Five of them haven’t and we will ask them why they haven’t sent it yet. We will have a hearing with all the players soon as well as with Nobbs and John and chart the way forward,” he said.

In a bid to avoid one-sided contests in the Nationals, Hockey India will conduct the tournament in two phases from 2013. “We plan to have a two-tier system from next year. A seeding system will be brought in and the top 12 will enter the second phase. The remaining teams will battle it out in the first phase of which four will advance to the next phase. Both will be held simultaneously,” he said.