Every session is match related: Head coach

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Players and coaches of the AIFF regional academy in Navi Mumbai.

The All India Football Federation’s regional acaddemy at Navi Mumbai in the premises of the Father Agnel Sports Complex, has a vibrant feel to it.

Boasting of 27 young men who are under training by head coach Sajid Dar, his deputy Aqueel Ansari and goalkeeping coach Mario Aguiar, the academy has a yearly calendar divided into four sessions. Each day is divided into core sessions, where the boys are made to do strengthening exercises, and non-core sessions which take place in the evening.
Every Saturday the trainees play teams from outside the academy, including from the Elite Division in Mumbai’s local league.
“We defeated PIFA, which plays in the Elite Division here 2-1. It was a big day for the boys. Then we also got the better of the Air India U-19 team,” Sajid says.
“Basically we work on the module set by AIFF technical director, academies, Scott O’Donell. According to the module, we work on a certain aspect of the game every day. For example, today we are focusing on pressing. So the boys will concentrate on pressing for the ball throughout the course of the match we play between ourselves,” adds Ansari.
“Each and every session is match related. That has been the philosophy here.”
Chips in Dar: “I keep hearing people demanding results. Products are not developed over such a short period. It will take time but as head coach here I can see these boys playing for India five or six years down the line.”