Journalism of Courage
Outgoing India hockey coach Michael Nobbs will run down the last days of his contract by conducting coaching seminars at the National Institute of Sport NIS in Patiala. Nobbs,who met Jiji Thomson,the director general of Sports Authority of India SAI,and worked out the details of his exit,will also be coaching the national women8217;s team for 4-5 days during his stay in Patiala.
Importantly,SAI have also resolved the issue over whether or not to pay the Australian his salary for the month of June. 8220;It only took five minutes to resolve my issue,8221; said Nobbs,who has been camped in the capital for the last two days. 8220;We talked more on the coaching programme.8221;
Nobbs8217; contract will officially end this month. The details were worked out during the three-hour long meeting at the SAI office,where among others present were the director teams Rajinder Singh and the regional director of NIS Patiala L S Ranawat.
8220;I agreed as this was the best use of whatever time I had left here. I8217;m supposed to reach Patiala by the 20th or 21st of this month. Once there,I will also look at their programmes and try to help them,8221; Nobbs said.
Once there,the 47-year-old Australian will not only conduct sessions with young coaches but will also train the women8217;s team. 8220;Neil Hawgood is away with the junior team in Monchengladbach,for the World Cup,so I will train the women8217;s team,8221; Nobbs said.
seeing off the boys
Before leaving the country,Nobbs will spend some time with the men8217;s team,currently in Bangalore. 8220;I will see off my boys before flying off,8221; he said. 8220;After that I8217;m back home and will look to regain my health.8221;
Hockey India,is keen to host some sort of farewell for the coach,who took over the reins of the team in 2011 and restored India8217;s place in the Olympics in 2012.
