‘Grassroot development most important’

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AIFF general secretary Kushal Das (left) and national coach Wim Koevaermans (right) unveil the Nike Manchester United Premier Cu

National football coach Wim Koevermans reiterated on Wednesday that India need to speed up their football development if they want to compete even at the Asian level.

“There is not other way but to act now. Asian countries are making rapid strides and countries like Afghanistan have improved a lot in the last few years and India cannot lag behind,” he said.
“We have to give serious thought in the grassroot and youth development. There is a master plan (named Lakshya 2022 authored by technical director Rob Bann) which provides for grassroot and youth developments. It’s on the table and we have to give a serious thought and implement it. It is most important.”
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Nike Manchester United (U-15) Premier Cup 2013 here, Koevermans said I-League matches should be played in the evening under floodlights. It is one of the “improvements” the All India Football Federation would make from next season in the I-League.
“The I-League is not one of the best leagues in the world and we have to accept that. There are drawbacks and weak points but we have to see the big picture and try to solve the issues we face so that Indian football moves ahead,” Koevermans said.
Most I-League matches start at 3 or 4 pm and even at 2 pm local time in the tournament that is played from September-October to April-May, prompting players and officials to complain about exhaustion due to heat.
Earlier, Koevermans and AIFF general secretary Kushal Das inaugurated the tournament, which will be held in two phases next month with the final on May 9 in Goa.
Teams from the North and East regions will battle out in Jamshedpur while the teams from West and South will compete in Goa, which will also host the final phase of the tournament. The first phase will start on April 29 while the final phase will be played between March 4 and 9.
The winning team from the national tournament will compete at the Asian regional finals in Malaysia in June.