Coppins, the former Grand Prix motocross star who retired from international racing last year, has been appointed New Zealand manager for the Motocross of Nations event.
Columb, the national MX2 champion, is recuperating after knee surgery in April to repair his anterior cruciate ligament. He has one aim in mind: joining two of the country's other top riders to compete in the ''Olympic Games of motocross'' in Germany in September.
''That's my goal. That's what's keeping me going,'' he said.
The other national champion, Cody Cooper (MX1), also stood a high chance of being picked, Coppins said.
''Obviously, Cody Cooper will be one rider we'll look at closely to be in the team again, but other riders will be catching the eye of the selectors, too.''
Coppins (36) will announce the team - comprising two MX1 riders and one MX2 rider - at the beginning of next month.
With his international racing experience and recent national achievements, Columb was ''without a doubt, a top candidate for the MX2 ride'', Coppins said.
''He is definitely in consideration but it's just a little bit early yet. If he was healthy, there would be no doubt he would be in the team.''
Columb said there had been no ''hiccups'' to his recovery this time and along with having physiotherapy, he was riding his mountain bike to strengthen his knee.
''Everything is on track. Everything is a lot better than my previous knee injury [2010].''
While timing would be tight, he hoped to be back training on his motorbike by next month, which would allow him to accompany the New Zealand team overseas for the third time. He raced in the event in 2008, and in 2009 he placed an impressive 12th overall in one of the races.
Both years, Coppins was his team-mate, but the former New Zealand, British and Italian motocross champion and current Australian open class motocross champion can claim a lengthy involvement with the event.
Coppins was in the New Zealand team every year bar two - once when the team did not go and once due to injury - from 1995 to 2012.
His role now is to advise the Motorcycling New Zealand selectors who would be suitable for the team, but the final decision will come down to people such as MNZ motocross commissioner Bryan Davidson, Coppins said.
When asked if Palmerston's Courtney Duncan, who is racing in the United States, was an option this year, he said she was ''still too young'' and the 125cc motorbike she was riding was not of high enough cubic capacity for the Motocross of Nations.
However, Coppins did not rule out her potential selection in coming years if she continued to improve.
