Navi Mumbai: You look around and are bound to be struck in awe. Among the 65 participants, all of whom who have gathered for the AIFF Coaching Seminar, there are former players all around; players whom we all have adored over the years.
There’s Prasanta Banerjee, there’s Godfrey Pereira, there’s Tanumoy Basu, there’s Khalid Jamil, there’s Syed Sabir Pasha, there’s Savio Medeira, there’s Aqueel Ansari, there’s Noushad Moosa…the list just seems to have no end.
On Monday morning, the reason for their gathering – the Seminar, kicked-off in Navi Mumbai. The Seminar, first of its kind in India, aims to produce better coaches and players with ‘match related approach.’
AIFF Technical Director Rob Baan conducted the first session of the Seminar, his ‘vision to develop Indian Football.’ That was followed by National Coach Wim Koevermans’ session in the afternoon – ‘What is Football?’ while Baan’s practical session, ‘Coaching, the Match related Approach,’ stayed the last session of the day.
The India U-17 National squad who trains at the Centre of Excellence in Goa and has come over to Navi Mumbai to take part in the practical sessions stayed Baan’s wards as the Technical Director demonstrated the ‘Match Related Approach,’ and had interactive sessions with the Coaches.
Earlier, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das welcomed the guests and spoke on the ‘Long term future of Indian Football,’ while guest speaker, former India Captain Bhaichung Bhutia shared his experiences.
“It’s imperative we all understand the future philosophy of Indian football,” Das said. “The Seminar stays a significant step taken by our Technical Team as we need to look forward,” he added.
“Coach Education stays perhaps the most significant aspect if we are to create an Indian style of play as we have intended,” Baan stressed.
“To improve the standard of the football in the country, we need to select the best players. But prior to that, we need to train and groom them. We as Coaches stay responsible for that,” O’Donell, who will be conducting both theoretical and practical sessions in the next four days, emphasized.
The theoretical sessions are being held at the Royal Orchid Hotel in Navi Mumbai while the practical sessions at the Father Agnel ground, where the first AIFF Regional Academy is based.
National Coach Wim Koevermans maintained the Seminar gives one an opportunity to “express himself.”
“The next five-days are important. The philosophy needs to be understood by all,” Koevermans, who was a part of the Dutch squad which win the European Cup in 1988, opined.
“Let’s not stay stuck in the 60s and the 70s. Let’s embrace the new concepts,” Bhaichung commented. “From my experience, I have starved for the right kind of training for long. This initiative by AIFF is an excellent one. It’s the right beginning,” he added.
By Indian Sports News Network
