AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation, along with the help of the respective state associations and local clubs, arranged four-day Grassroots Courses in Thane, Delhi-NCR and Shillong.

Across the four regions, a combined total of 66 coaches participated in the courses at their respective venues.

THANE, MAHARASHTRA

WIFA Ad Hoc Committee (Thane) organised the four-day AIFF Grassroots Leaders course in Association with Western India Football Association (WIFA) in June at the MAKA Stadium, Mumbra.

The course was conducted by AIFF Instructors Prashant J Singh and Suhel Nair, which had a total of 24 candidates including six female coaches and a few candidates who had made the journey all the way from Surat and Manipal to be a part of the course.

A specially-appointed WIFA Ad Hoc committee was set up to spearhead football development in the region. The appointees have been quick to organise football tournaments for the local youth and a steady coaching pathway for the local coaches beginning with the Grassroots Leaders Course.

WIFA Ad Hoc Committee member Simon Patrao, who was also a key part of the Organising Committee, explained, “We are constantly working in promoting the sport at the grassroots level across the Thane District. Having six female coaches was very encouraging to see. We are happy with the way WIFA have extended their whole-hearted support towards this course and look forward to conducting more in the future.”

Participant Drishti Punjabi, one among the six female candidates on the course, said: “It is really a wonderful course and I thoroughly enjoyed every session. I work with Kenkre FC and most of the knowledge gained in this course is extremely practical and definitely transferable to the current situations at most clubs." 

DELHI-NCR

Football Delhi organised the four-day AIFF Grassroots Leaders course from June 19 to June 22 in BGS International Public School, Dwarka. The course was conducted by AIFF Instructor Prashant J Singh and had 24 participants from across the NCR. 

“Football Delhi is delighted to be able to host the Grassroots Course as it is the foundation block for Coach Education and helps coaches understand the intricacies of working with children at different ages.

“We have always tried to lead the way in this area with the advent of the Golden League and this course will help coaches gain a better understanding of our overall objectives,” said DSA President Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran.

The FD Golden League, which debuted last season, saw a remarkable 1,500 schools getting involved and thousands of children getting to play in competitive matches across the NCR.

Participant Nitesh Kumar from BGS International Public School shared his personal experience: “This course has really changed my outlook on coaching methodology and gain a further insight into how to systematically plan and organise your sessions. It was truly a holistic experience and I would like to thank Instructor Prashant for all his efforts in guiding us through the process"  

Anju Turambekar, Head of Grassroots & Instructor made the assessment visit during the course. 

SHILLONG, MEGHALAYA

As many as 18 coaches underwent the AIFF Grassroots Leaders Course hosted by Shillong Lajong FC under the aegis of the Meghalaya Football Association from June 20 to 24, 2019. The course was conducted by AIFF Instructors Shailesh Karkera and Arkiban Nongrum at the Meghalaya Sports Association Stadium.

The course was part of a three-phase programme for Coach Education spearheaded by the Shillong Lajong leadership to develop coaches in the region. After shortlisting probable candidates from hundreds of state-wide applicants, the selected coaches were to undergo a week-long pre-course programme conducted by Lajong Technical Director, Jolien Lasa, a Spanish UEFA Pro License holder.

This would be followed by the AIFF Grassroots Leaders Course, and finally finish off with the AIFF D License Course, all of which would be fully sponsored by Lajong.

Lajong's General Manager, Hamamutlang Lyngdoh further explained, “The aspiring youth of Meghalaya are passionate about making an impact in football and this course has helped them gain tremendous and valuable knowledge on Grassroots coaching, which is the foundation of developing football talent."

Course Instructor Arkiban Nongrum, who also doubles up as the CEO of the Meghalaya Football Association, has already chalked up a roadmap for the coming months.

"We are currently in the process of translating the AIFF Grassroots Leaders Course into the Khasi Language, which will heavily benefit the hundreds of coaches across the region. We hope to rope in more coaches and instructors, who are fluent in our local languages so that we can take football to the far reaches of the state," he said.

The Thane and Shillong courses were concluded with their respective grassroots football festivals, which featured around 50-60 children and was conducted by the course participants.