'Navi Mumbaikars will be able to play at international level soon'

The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) D-licence training programme garnered tremendous response in Navi Mumbai. The programme being conducted at the Fr Agnel's Sports Complex ground was formally inaugurated recently amidst the presence of officials from AIFF. This is an all India initiative and this is the first batch of D-licence training wherein 30 coaches from the city are being trained under certified instructors from AIFF. Henry Menezes, CEO, AIFF who was present to grace the occasion, shared some interesting thoughts about football in India and it's future in Navi Mumbai. Srishti Shinde caught him to know AIFF's future plans to develop football in the satellite city.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: This being one of the first batches in Maharashtra; what is the reason to select Navi Mumbai?
A: Navi Mumbai is in Maharashtra (laughs) and it is one of the most rapidly developing city as far as sporting infrastructure is concerned. Hence, this is one of the four centres where the D-licence training programme is being conducted. It's a pleasure to host this programme with such great amenities available.

Coaches undergoing strenous training; AIFF CEO Henry Menezes

Q: How is the response for this programme?
A: The response is brilliant, we have received 400 applications and this batch at Fr Agnel's ground has 30 coaches who are undergoing the training. The programme is being conducted across Maharashtra and has been started with the vision of producing 5000 licenced coaches across the state in the next three years.
Q: How will this training help aspiring footballers in the city?
A: It is a belief that if there are students, there will be coaches. However, it is actually the other way round; the more coaches we produce the better will be the quality of future footballers. This course is being conducted in a professional manner including both theory and practical sessions that go on from morning to evening. This course will produce the best coaches who will be pofessionally qualified in all aspects of the game and will impart training right from the grassroot level which is very important.
Q: What's the regime that these course participants follow throughout the day?
A: The participants have a 10-hour session everyday, which is divided into theory and practical (with equal time slots given to each). We want to bring in the best in them and hence the utilisation of their stamina is what we are looking at doing at this programme. The aim to certify those people who have been coaching since many years but do not have a certification or licence. This is a platform to brush up their skills to attain this certification.
Q: What's the criteria of selection of these coaches for the programme?
A: This course is open to all, however from the next batch we would reduce the age group since we want more and more members from the young brigade to take up coaching in a professional manner.
Q: What's the best thing that Navi Mumbai will get from the programme?
A: There's a very good news for Navi Mumbai in terms of football. FIFA (the world football governing body) under it's Vision India has recognised four centres in the country to train students who would be given advanced training and then taken over by FIFA. Fr Agnel's Sports Complex is one of the shortlisted centres for FIFA's Vision India programme and now Navi Mumbaikars can realise their dream of playing at an international level one day.
Q: Any more information about the programme?
A: The AIFF secretary Kushal Das along with the technical director Rob Ban and myself would be present for a site inspection scheduled on November 8 after which things would be finalised. The programme is set to kickstart from March 2012 wherein students will be selected, coached and trained by FIFA for future.