At a time when Indian football is facing challenges on the international stage, young Goan Shashwat Kamat is making his mark in one of the world’s most advanced football systems after joining Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) as a Performance Analyst.
Kamat has joined the club’s Category 1 Academy, the highest academy classification in England, marking a major milestone in a journey that began when he was just 16.
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His football journey started with FC Goa, which he describes as the club where his ambition to build a career in football took shape. He later moved to England, gaining experience with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) before securing his role with Wolves.
“This personally is a big, big milestone to me where I’ve made sure that I achieve my goals and dreams step by step,” Kamat said.
He recalled joining FC Goa at 16 and credited the people at the club for helping him develop and pushing him to pursue his ambitions.
Learning From England’s Football System
Kamat said his experience in England has exposed him to a highly structured approach to player development, with young footballers closely monitored throughout their careers.
“In India we say that we focus on the grassroots, but none of it is true,” he said, contrasting the system with his experience at QPR.
He pointed to regular assessments, individual meetings and psychological support as some of the features of the English academy system. Players receive ongoing feedback on their development, while specialists also monitor their mental wellbeing.
Kamat also highlighted the availability of specialised departments within English clubs, including teams focused on player performance, identification and analysis.
“In comparison to both you can definitely say that there is much more money in the football industry here as compared to in India,” he said, adding that specialised responsibilities are often handled by separate departments in England, whereas one person may have to manage several roles in India.
He also noted that coaches in England are required to continue developing their skills and maintain their professional qualifications through regular continuing professional development.
What a Performance Analyst Does at Wolves
At Wolves, Kamat’s work begins well before match day. He analyses upcoming opponents, studying their playing style, strengths, weaknesses and tactical patterns.
“We have an opposition report which helps us understand how they play and what can be certain tactics we can use against them to beat them,” he explained.
The analysis is then incorporated into training sessions, helping coaches prepare the team for specific challenges expected during the match. Set-piece strategies are also studied as part of the preparation.
Following matches, Kamat and the performance team conduct detailed reviews to identify areas that need improvement while also examining positive aspects of the team’s performance.
Creating Awareness About Careers Beyond Playing
Kamat believes India has significant potential for careers in football beyond becoming a professional player, but a lack of awareness and specialised education remains a major obstacle.
“India has a lot of amazing talent and potential who can make it big abroad,” he said.
He pointed specifically to the limited availability of specialised courses in performance analysis and sports science in India.
“The field of performance analysis is so isolated in India that nobody has ever heard about it or never knows what it is all about,” Kamat said.
He believes this lack of awareness can make it difficult for young people to convince their families that football-related careers beyond playing can offer viable professional opportunities.
Kamat said he was fortunate to receive support from his family, friends and his local MLA while pursuing a relatively unconventional career path.
Encouraging Goan Youth to Dream Bigger
For youngsters in Goa interested in football, Kamat believes there are numerous opportunities within the sport beyond playing professionally.
“I would say that there are a lot of opportunities and you have to back yourself to pursue them,” he said, pointing to careers in analysis, coaching and other areas of football operations.
He hopes his own journey will encourage young people to step outside their comfort zones and seek opportunities on the international stage.
“Being the only Goan right now working in performance analysis at a Category 1 Academy which is the highest rating for academies worldwide, it helps me put out the dream that we can always achieve what we want to,” Kamat said.
From Goa to the Global Stage
Kamat left India in 2024 to pursue opportunities abroad, at a time when Indian football was facing growing challenges. He believes the difficulties within the domestic system make international exposure and alternative pathways particularly important for young talent.
“Football has had a major decline due to the political perspectives at the Federation and that’s been something that has caused a lot of problems and controversy,” he said.
However, Kamat sees his move to England not simply as a departure from Indian football but as an opportunity to demonstrate what Indian talent can achieve when given the right environment.
“I think me going and getting a role in England where football is worshipped puts out an idea that people should escape their comfort zone and showcase their talent at the global stage,” he said.
For Kamat, his achievement is also about inspiring the next generation.
“There are a lot of young students who really looked up to me and my journey, looking to imitate a similar journey in sport,” he said.
From joining FC Goa as a teenager to working at Wolves’ Category 1 Academy, Kamat’s journey demonstrates that careers in football can extend far beyond the playing field. His rise also highlights the potential for young Goans and Indians to build successful careers in the global sports industry by developing specialised skills and seeking opportunities beyond traditional pathways.
