The first phase of Premier Skills in Mumbai concluded at the Cooperage Football ground in Mumbai yesterday, in what is a heartening event for the development of Indian football.
Premier Skills has partnered with the Indian Super League and All India Football Federation (AIFF) to launch a football development programme in India.
Over the last one week, 50 grassroots and youth coaches from eight Indian Super League clubs, as well as coaches from NGO’s, were given expert training from a qualified team of coaches at Premier Skills (an initiative of the English Premier League).
They received day-to-day insights and knowledge from Jeremy Weeks and a qualified team of coaches from Premier League clubs like West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
This initiative has been designed to provide ISL clubs grassroots coaches with the skills and support to undertake their own grassroots projects in the future and be able to train India’s younger generations in the beautiful game.
The need for passion to be converted into technical skills
Jeremy Weeks, the Premier Skills head coach was effusive in his praise of the enthusiasm he had seen for football in India and reiterated the importance of crafting good coaches in the country.
“There is a passion and enthusiasm for football evident in India, more so after the onset of the Indian Super League here. I’ve had a fantastic week in Mumbai. There is a different set of skills required to be a good grassroots community coach though and that’s what we have set out to achieve over the last few days."
"We aren’t here to tell the coaches what to do. This is about our Premier league clubs sharing our knowledge and skills with the Indian coaches. It’s amazing to see coaches enthusiastic about learning and developing themselves. If we need more youth to play, we will need more coaches to develop and help players improve their skills.” Weeks said.
Weeks went on to talk about how his set of coaches tried to pass on the importance of holding inclusive and engaging activities with young footballers, opining that school going players are the most complex to deal with and maintaining a balance in their training is of the most paramount importance.
When asked if he had noticed any shortcomings in his Indian counterparts, Weeks mentioned that they should be passing on more technical information to players from a young age.
Weeks also spoke at length about how India needed to be patient and continue to invest in infrastructure and coaches to reach a level where they could become a competitive side. He stressed that the investment needed to move hand in hand with collaborations such as the one that made Premier Skills possible, and the involvement of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was a must in this as well.
The growth of the footballing narrative in India
Sundar Raman, CEO, Reliance Sports also spoke about Reliance’s enthusiasm in this project, “This day is important to us. We believe this is an exciting stage for Indian football, with the U-17 World Cup arriving soon and the Indian Super League. We are delighted that there are so many footballing conversations in the country and it’s heartwarming. This will lead to a greater interest in the sport.”
“Children today are looking up to footballers as role models and are hoping to step up in honing their skills. Role models aren’t enough, though, and that’s where good guidance is important. This is where the Indian Super League felt it’s important to bring on board Premier Skills program for coaching Indian football coaches.”
“I’ve seen the power of football and how passionate kids are in this country. We’re delighted to have partnered with NGO’s to make sure football is accessible as well.” Alan Gemmell, the Minister of Cultural Affairs added.
Tie up with the AIFF
Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF, was present as well. He spoke about the AIFF”s aspiration to find the future roster of Indian footballing talent through the Premier Skills program. He said that the AIFF has been keen to promote the development of grassroots football in the country with a keen eye on the U-15 and U-17 age groups of late.
Das also announced that successful candidates from Phase 1 of Premier Skills program are eligible for AIFF ‘D’ licence certificate and in three months, and they can apply for AFC ‘C’ licence as well.
The Premier Skills program is first of many developments in what could be an exciting footballing future for the sport in India, but the management of the initiative were all keen to stress that the investment in training quality coaches was paramount.
If the faces of the delighted kids and Indian coaching staff making their way from the Cooperage Football ground (with their certificates for attending the course) was any indication, the Premier Skills program seems to have been a considerable step in the right direction.
