AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The first-ever AIFF Beach Soccer introductory online course will take place from January 29 to 30, 2021. Thirty applicants will attend the 2.5 days long course for which registration window opens on Friday (January 8).

Mr Savio Medeira, Head of Coach Education, All India Football Federation sounded 'optimistic' about the course and he feels it will help the participants in the future.

"We are trying to venture into Beach Soccer for the first time and it is very exciting at this moment. The potential is huge and we are gifted with a vast coastline. We are ready to encash this opportunity and therefore, Coach Education has and will play a major role in ensuring that we make it big," the former Blue Tigers head coach mentioned.

The four Coach Educators appointed to conduct this course are Mr Gavin Araujo, Mr Suhel Nair, Mr Marcelino Pereira and Mr Shekhar Kerkar. The Coach Educators were part of the AFC/AIFF Online Introductory Workshop for Beach Soccer held from December 8 to 10, 2020.

"This online course will bring in awareness about Coach Education and it will be a prerequisite for Beach Soccer level 1 in the future. These online courses will generate more interest for coaching in Beach soccer and will also create opportunities for coaches in Beach soccer," Medeira added.

Mr Gavin Araujo who represented India in the Dubai Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifiers in 2007, followed by the first Asian Beach Games in Bali in 2007 feels India can be a force to reckon with soon.

"Beach Soccer is very popular in Goa. It can be equally popular in other states like Odisha, Kerala etc that have a long coastline. It's fast, skill-oriented and can be organised easily. As All India Football Federation is putting in so much effort towards this discipline, I'm sure we'll considerably improve soon," he mentioned.