I’ve lost count of how many times have I read sensible comments on message boards suggesting a greater focus on youth development in India. Passionate but ignorant fans cry out for a change of coach to turn around the fortunes of the National team, as though the players are as good as the Japanese but just lacking the right coach.
I want to share a small example of the difference between Europe and India.
I have just seen advertised a coaching role at Crystal Palace for 6-11 year old boys in north London, minimum coaching qualification is equivalent to the AFC B license.
Crystal Palace are currently in the second tier of English football and behind 5 other London teams in the league tables. I-league teams last season were required to have an U19 team who played a 1 off tournament. Only this season has it become necessary to have a coach with an A-license.
Until we have a large number of highly qualified coaches working with 6-11 year old players and all the way up to the senior teams we will not even come close to the best teams in Asia. Discussions about whether National team players are good enough to play abroad, whether we need a new coach for the national team, whether India can qualify for the world cup, etc are all pointless before youth development is seriously addressed.
Trending
