Indian football on cusp of next level of development: AIFF Gen Secy

All Indian Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das on Monday said country is on cusp of reaching next level of football development and role of coaches is important in achieving that. Speaking at an online opening session of a coach education course jointly organised by AIFF and Sports Authority of India (SAI), Das said Indian football has improved its standard in recent years. "Without coaches, game can't be improved nationally. India is on cusp of taking it to next level. Our youth development, FIFA rankings have improved in recent times significantly," Das said. "Combining kwledge of NIS Patiala which focuses on Sports science and AIFF courses will be a perfect scenario for coaches to grow. AIFF will always be re to provide whichever support is required."

'Indian football on cusp of next level of development'

A four-day Special Reconversion Course began on Monday as part of AIFF's plan to guide SAI coaches to understand process of AFC-AIFF coach education system.  Das thanked SAI for coming forward and partnering with AIFF for course. "We are grateful to SAI for coming forward and partnering with us. I would like to thank Mr. Sandeep Pradhan (SAI DG) for his untiring efforts to implement this. We have been trying to do this since long," he said.

Indian football Technical Director Isac Doru stressed on developing a "winning mentality" which he said was key to achieve excellence. "We need to develop a winning mentality. We need to instil it in youngsters' minds. We train to win, t only participate. A win gives us confidence. It builds a champion mentality," he said. "We are t giving you (coaches) fish, rar we'll teach you how to fish. India is full of talent who are like liquid gold. Except for coaches, you cant make jewellery."

Doru said coaches need to learn principles of game, training methodologies, specific characteristics of different groups. "Individual, as well as combined performance, needs to be assessed." National team director Abhishek Yadav felt many coaches will get benefited from this course which will help development of Indian football. 

Im credits: PTI / Social Media