AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Former Norwegian senior women’s head coach Even Pellerud has been appointed as the mentor for Maymol Rocky, the head coach of the Indian women’s national team, through the FIFA women’s development programme that aids in the qualitative development of women coaches throughout the world.

Pellerud, who has been in India from January 10, 2019, for the Women’s National Team camp in Cuttack, Odisha, has been guiding Rocky in training sessions along with helping her draft tactics and strategies. The Norwegian, who was also the head coach for the Canada and Trinidad & Tobago women’s teams, said, “India has huge potential when it comes to football in general and much more so in women’s football.”

“The nation has a variety of players that are capable of being the best in the region and I am glad to aid in the development in whatever way I can. During the stay, I along with Maymol have observed the strengths and weaknesses of each player and have devised plans for them to help them reach the next level.”

The Indian women are currently preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 and coach Maymol Rocky stated, “Even (Pellerud) has brought new insights along with his past experience. He has helped me to develop as a coach through the minute details that he has helped me grasp.”

“We are all focused towards a common goal that is qualification from the second round of the Olympic qualifiers. We are training hard for it and we will try our best to make the nation proud”, she added.