AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation, in association with Andhra Pradesh Football Association, organised a Grassroots Course at the Railway football ground, and Jubilee English Medium school ground from August 21-14 in Visakhapatnam.

23 participants attended the course – which was the first-ever Grassroots course in the state, and was conducted by Anju Turambekar, AIFF Head of Grassroots, and Instructor, with Gyan Moyon assisting her.

Mr. Kosaraju Gopala Krishna, President, APFA, also a member of the AIFF Audit & Finance Committee member, termed this as the kick-off of a 'great journey for AFPA,' and thanked AIFF for making this course possible.

"A great journey has begun for Andhra Pradesh Football Association (APFA. Conducting a grassroots leaders course in Visakhapatnam is a memorable moment for every one of us," Krishna said. "Visakhapatnam has a rich history of football. We'll look forward to continuing this journey with hosting developmental courses, and conducting National Football Championships which Visakhapatnam had hosted successfully till the 90s,” he added.

He further went on to thank AIFF for 'taking initiative' of hosting the course in the coastal city.

"The course helped us to streamline the developmental process and bring in the people into the system. I would like to thank the AIFF for taking the initiative.”

MS Mohan, who has played in the Santosh Trophy, and was one of the participants stressed on the fact that “an overall development structure” needs to be created.

“I felt like a repairing engine,” he quipped. “As an engine gets old, one needs to repair it properly. The same has happened to me. The course made me a completely new person, a better coach and importantly better human which is the most significant thing in life,” he felt.

Meanwhile, Anju highlighted the “importance of expanding grassroots.”

"For AIFF it's important to expand the grassroots football to every corner of the country. That has been our priority. It is a wonderful experience witnessing the enthusiasm through this Grassroots football development initiative,” she said.