ON the eve of his departure for Seville to compete in his first World Championships, 800 metres star Jason Lobo paid tribute to his coach and mentor Arthur Almond .

"Arthur first saw me competing in Blackburn and Darwen inter-schools cross country races at the age of 11 and invited me to train with Blackburn Harriers, so you could say that he discovered me.

"Ever since then he has always been my coach, and my current success is as much down to Arthur as it is to myself."

Even though Jason at 29 is now a seasoned international and has joined elite club Belgrave, the pair have continued their partnership, and it is clear the respect Lobo has for the Harriers' senior coach.

"Arthur has been standing at the track at Witton Park with watch in hand for as long as I can remember," he said. He had total responsibility for Michael Green who earned a sports scholarship to America, Andy Farnworth - now at Tipton - has been successful at cross country, and currently the Barton twins are nationally ranked athletes."

Candy Hamilton, the new under 12 English Fell Champion, has recently joined Blackburn from Hyndburn and is a member of Arthur's youngest group.

Jason helped his club win the BAL Cup Final on Saturday.

In the 800m race, which didn't fit comfortably into his World Championship preparations, he ran from the front but was pipped into second place on the line.

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