Former captain Brahmanand Sankwalkar wonders about the reasons holding back Indian football coaches from getting more opportunities and greater recognition at home at a time when Indians make things happen worldwide in other professions.
“Indian brains are wanted worldwide in various fields, Indians manage some of the world’s biggest corporates. We are running the world, in a way, why not more Indian brains in football?” he asked, on the sidelines of a training session at the Vedanta Sesa Football Academy (VSFA), where he is the mentor.
Eduard Basart from Catalonia (Spain) is the Technical Director at VSFA, working with local coaches Charles Dias (Sesa First Division team based in Sirsaim) and Ajay Acharya (Sesa Academy in Sankhali). The Spaniard’s method of setting a coaching system and getting work done from local coaches is worth nothing.
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“Eduard has a very good programme for developing coaches. He does not get involved directly with the boys, gives full freedom to coaches trained by him to implement the tactical parts.
“This can happen nationally, so that our dependence on foreign coaches can be reduced steadily,” noted the former international.
The India men’s team is coached by Stephen Constantine from England, assisted by coaches among whom is ex-India midfielder Shanmugham Venkatesh. Luis Matos from Portugal was head coach of India U-17 boys at the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year before his departure recently.
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Floyd Pinto, deputy from India, was promoted to take charge of Indian Arrows, the development squad earlier under the Portuguese. Bibiano Fernandes, ex-India player, is chief coach of national U-16 boys side. National women’s football coach is Maymol Rocky from India.
Brahmanand added: “I know the federation (All India Football Federation) is doing a lot for the game and hopes this continues. Regarding coaching structure at the national level, we should have one chief coach, one football brain from Brazil, Spain or anywhere else… Give Indians under him the chance to take charge in match situations. Only then will you know how able they are?,” he said. “There are many unbiased coaches in India, many of them are qualified pro coaches, give them the professional treatment we extend to foreigners, treat Indians on par, the football levels will go up.”
The Indian Super League teams have foreigners as the head coaches. “Earlier in Goa, every club brought in foreign coaches. Indians were asked to assist them. The reasons put forward by team managements was that a foreigner will attract people to come for matches,” observed the ex-India custodian. “Nothing like that happens in reality. Players’ performance is more relevant for popularity rather than the coach’s nationality.”