We need uniform coaching system: Bidhan Das

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Association of Assam Football Coaches (AAFC) has taken a fund rising initiative to provide financial assistance to former international footballer Debashsish Roy and soccer coach Babu Singh (a cancer patient). In an interaction with The Sentinel the president of the association Bidhan Das said that AAFC, which is formed nearly one year back to promote football in the State, can't avoid social responsibility. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): AAFC has taken a fund raising initiative to provide help to international footballer Debashish Roy and coach Babu Singh…

Bidhan: Yes. Both of them are struggling due to poor financial condition. Initially we have decided to collect donation from our members and handed over to them. But in that case the fund would not be so huge. So we have decided to go to the Sports lovers of the State. Once again I am appealing to all the sports lovers to come forward and extend their help to this noble cause.

TS: What about the response...

Bidhan: We have made the appeal very recently and response is positive. We will keep everything very transparent and entire amount that would be collected through this fund raising campaign would be handed over to Roy and Singh by this month.

TS: Players are struggling to keep themselves fit during COVID-19 pandemic. Has your association any plan for them?

Bidhan: Yes. We have recently organized a webinar for the players where expert has shared plans on how to stay fit in this type of situation. Nearly 80 players from different parts of the State participated in that webinar. We have a few other plans also for the players and coaches of the State and it will be materialized very soon.

TS: Many people feel that time has come to work on coach's development programme in the State. Your thought…

Bidhan: I agree. Actually we need a uniform coaching pattern throughout the State and until we are not able to do it you won't notice proper development. There are many soccer coaching centers in the State which are now running by the former footballers. Although during their time they were all good footballer but they don't have proper technical knowledge. But it is now very much essential. So we are trying to introduce a special coaching course for the former players so that they can upgrade their skill. We will also guide the young coaches who are interested to appear in different level coaching courses.

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