AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The first-ever AFC Professional Diploma Licence Course in India will kick-off at the Cooperage Football Ground in Mumbai from July 8, 2013. National Coach Wim Koevermans, also a reputed UEFA Pro-Licence Instructor in Europe, will be the Course Instructor.

Mr. Bader Ahmed Shah, facilitator from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will be assisting Koevermans from July 24-28, 2013 while AIFF Technical Director Mr. Robert Baan will also be present during the Course which will be attended by 14 Participants.

Koevermans, who has earlier been the Instructor for the likes of his former Dutch National Team teammate Marco van Basten and Frank de Boer during Dutch-Pro Licence Courses amongst others said the goal stays to upgrade the Coaches to the “highest possible standard.”

“We want to upgrade the knowledge of the Coaches to the highest possible standard of the World which in turn will benefit the quality of Football in India in the future. I’m here to share my experience as an UEFA Pro-Licence Instructor with all the Participants,” Koevermans told www.the-aiff.com.

Besides being an UEFA Pro-Licence Instructor, Koevermans has also conducted Pro-Licence Courses in The Netherlands, Ireland and many other European Countries. This will be his first-ever Pro-Licence Course in Asia. He has also served as a member of the JIRA Panel which overlooks the Coaching Convention of the UEFA. The Panel monitors the Quality Check for Coaching Courses in UEFA.

“I expect 100 percent effort from all the Participants,” Koevermans added. “The intention is not only to be educated but also to share with all what they have. It’s a Course for students, so they will have to be very active. The Participants need to spread the message in their Clubs and other assignments.”

As per AFC Guidelines the AFC Professional Licence Course will be conducted in four Modules and the Western India Football Association (WIFA) will be Official hosts for the first Module. The Module begins on July 8 and ends on July 28.

The second Module will be an International assignment and is likely to be held next year in Japan where all the Participants are required to travel as part of AFC Guidelines.

The third Module will consist of Home-Club attachment while the final Module will comprise of assignments.

India’s leading domestic Sports Brand NIVIA has been roped in as the Official Kit Sponsor for the first module of the Course.