Breaking Barriers, Really?

Figuring out how to organise the 2017 World Cup is one hell of a task, but that is only half the job for All India Football Federation. In four years, the country’s junior footballers will take on the best in the world, and it will be up to the federation to ensure that they do not come across as being hopelessly out of place at that level. And experts say the task is easier said than done!

Stevie Grieve knows a thing or two about coaching youngsters. At only 26, the former Dundee United Academy coach has worked with junior footballers in Switzerland and USA and is the head of coach education at Bhaichung Bhutia Soccer Schools in Delhi. He believes that an eight-year-old Indian footballer is at least two years behind his counterpart in Europe and South America and that the gap widens to 3 years by the time he reaches 13.

“They can manipulate the ball really well, have a good range of passing, are very good at moving with the ball and playing 1v1, and most can finish to a degree. Some Indian kids can only do one of these skills, and are praised for their ‘talent’ rather than praised for their effort to get good at other parts of the game, affecting the mindset of players. The fitness levels are also not great post-14 years. The diet of the players doesn’t help, nor the climate,” he reckons

More importantly, Grieve believes there is no system in place for long-term player development and hopes the 2017 U-17 WC would benefit the national team in the long run. “The U-17 World Cup should be a catalyst for change and a coaching revolution. There should be an emphasis on building facilities and maintaining them, so we can reach the senior World Cup in 2026/2030. We have some talented players, but there is a real lack of tactical nous from the coaching that I have seen in India.”

Grieve says that part of the problem can be alleviated by implementing a nationwide playing philosophy and making sure there are enough competent coaches to help develop the younger players. “This philosophy would be implemented to be coached into school teams, NGO teams, academies etc, so that all players are playing to a national style, bringing up coaching standards and playing in a modern style of play.”

AIFF secretary Kushal Das has already gone public with the federation’s plans to start two world-class U17 academies and U-14 and U-17 leagues involving all I-League clubs. It is an idea that Bengaluru FC CEO Mustafa Ghouse is in agreement with.

“I believe that all I-League clubs have a responsibility to develop youth players and this has become even more important with our participation in the U-17 WC. We have been working closely with the AIFF, with their regional academy soon to come in Bangalore and we are completely onboard with the idea of U-14 and U-17 leagues. Competition at that level will be good for the players.”

Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA’s development officer for south and central Asia, also believes that giving youth players regular playing time is crucial for their development. “The priority has to be on a good youth competition that is long term. The youth players should be able to play for six months and in at least 35 matches every year. This is vital for their development.”

AIFF sources confirmed that technical director Rob Baan has been asked to chalk out a master-plan for developing a strong junior team by 2017. “We extended Baan’s contract with an eye on the 2017 WC. We are also planning an extensive scouting programme all across India to increase our pool of junior players. A number of exposure tours are already on the anvil,” sources said.