Indian Hockey Coach Michael Nobbs not confident of qualifying for 2012 London Olympics
Michael Nobbs, the Australian coach of the Indian national hockey team, did not look convinced about his team’s ability to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games scheduled to be held in London in July 2012.
The coach did not look satisfied with the current situation of the national sport in the country while stating the fact that there are only 30 to 40 percent chances of the national team to confirm their place in the Olympic Games. There is still a long way
to go to register their place in the prestigious event of sports in the World, the Olympic Games.
''We have to win all the matches before the qualifiers. That includes nine-a-side tournament in Australia next month," Michael Nobbs added to his comments.
Regarding their strategy for the upcoming tour of Australia, Michael Nobbs stated that they are putting more attention to improve the fitness level of the players and to motivate the young players for a good show as they did in the recently held Asian Champions
Trophy in Ordos, China. The national team defeated their arch-rivals, the Greenshirts who are the reigning Asian Games Champions, in the final of the event.
It would be the second time since 1998, after 1970, if India does not qualify for the Olympic Games. The Indian national hockey team could not qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
“I had told you immediately after taking over that the chances of the team qualifying for the London Olympics are very remote," Michael Nobbs further added.
Meanwhile, Michael Nobbs also looked very keen to play maximum matches against their traditional rivals, Pakistan, in the future. Nobbs feels that playing against Pakistan will give the players a chance to improve their skills before attempting to qualify
for the Olympic Games.
The Indian Hockey team is currently riding high, as they recently beat Pakistan in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy and with their new coach Nobbs, they are looking to put in a good performance over the next few months for a chance at getting into
the Olympic Games.