AAFPA’s aim is to all round development of soccer in Assam: Hem Das
Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: International footballers Francis Baruah, Alen Deori is among the few names whom were once mentored by him. Hem Das, the president of the All Assam Football Players Association (AAFPA), shared his organizations future plans and also highlighted different aspect of State football with a discussion with The Sentinel. Here is the excerpt:
TS: What soccer lovers can expect from the new body of AAFPA?
The main aim of our organization is to make all round development of football in the state and we will work hard to reach that goal.
TS: Would you please elaborate...
Football is a very popular game in the state but due to different reasons we were not able to get desired result. Time has come to take some concrete steps. Initially we have planned to organize camps in the different districts to find talents and later some more camps would be organized to give proper training to these selected players.
TS: Do you feel present football status of Assam can attract young players?
Why not? You will hardly get any children who didn’t kick a soccer ball at home during his early days. Football is still a very popular game in the state and it is proven fact. We are witnessing good turnout in the recently launched Baby Soccer League in Guwahati. On the other hand nearly 175 young footballers take part in the recently concluded 10-day winter soccer coaching camp which was organized by the Guwahati Young Star Football coaching centre at the Nehru stadium in Guwahati. So I am very much optimistic.
TS: Will you seek any help from the Assam Football Association to implement AAFPA’s different plans?
Off course. Assam Football Association is the parent body of the state football and we need big help from them. We can arrange camp to hunt talent. We even can provide technical support to the budding players. However Assam Football Association should chalk out long term plans so that these players can get proper training throughout the year. There are many qualified coaches under Assam Football Association and they can be engaged to train the players. If Assam Football Association provides those coaches to us we can to arrange camps in different parts of the State.
TS: There is allegation that a few organizations from outside the state are siphoning off money from the young players by organizing false trial camp. Your reaction?
We have also received similar complain from the players during one such camp at the Nehru stadium recently. This is really very unfortunate incidents. I request all the parents not to bring their child for trial before proper verifications of the party or organization who are organizing the camp. They can also contact the Assam Football Association to verify the credential of the organization.
Also Read: Winter Soccer Camp Ends in Nehru Stadium Guwahati
