PANJIM: “A good coach can change a game but a great coach can change a life. A great coach will make their students see what they can be rather than what they are,” stated GFA Administrator Jovito Lopes at the inaugural function of 6-day D Licence football course organised by Goa Football Association (GFA) in collaboration with AIFF at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.
Addressing 24 trainees, including seven from Bangalore, two from Hyderabad, and one form Chennai, attending the course, Jovito introduced the concept of Positive Coaching which aims at developing youngsters as caring, responsible and productive members of society and building character and self esteem through football.
He asked them to teach life lessons involving improving oneself, being a leader who helps others to flourish and working to make the society better. Coaches must tell children not to be afraid to make mistakes, he pointed out. Failure today is accepted as a part of success provided one analyses them and take steps to rectify so that they are not repeated.
Lavinio Jude Rebello, senior vice-president of GFA, highlighted that the success as a coach is to develop a young player who will ultimately play football with skill, creativity, vision and passion and help the students to transition to higher levels of play.
He added: “It is also important that the players whom you will work with develop good life skills and become individuals who are humble, take responsibility for themselves and demonstrate respect to their colleagues and their family.”
Dominic Pereira, chairman of competitions committee told the trainees to emphasise on enjoyment instead and have fun, gain communication skills, learn leadership skills and resort to power of positive coaching. What’s needed is a culture change and that’s the goal of positive coaching,” he added.
Genevieve Colaco, AIFF Development Officer with GFA, outlined the syllabus of the course which incorporates sessions on fitness, nutrition, first aid, coaching strategies.
The course will be conducted by coach Umer Muthawali with Mr Anthony Lobo being the coordinator.
