PANJIM: AFC Elite Instructor Dr. Shahabeddin Sofalmanesh believes India has great talent in the field of futsal and football and are sailing in the right direction.
“AFC believes India is far different from other countries. We believe that India is capable of producing one of the best talents and make another sport as great as cricket here. India will be a huge threat for all the futsal teams across the continents,” added the instructor speaking to Herald at the end of the instructors’ course, held at Chowgule court.
Dr Shahabeddin has conducted 27 courses across Asia in the last seven years, however, he felt the Indian coaches are ahead of the rest in Asia.
“I found that the Indian coaches have basic knowledge of futsal. India has the natural talent, But countries like Indonesia, Thialand and others make the talent,” added the instructor.
“I believe if India makes five to eight year plan on the futsal development then the country will reach top of Asia and will easily go to the World Cup,” said the instructor.
Shahabeddin alerted that the state players and upcoming talent should join the futsal academies which are accepted by AFC and are following the AFC and FIFA rules.
“There are many foreign ventures coming into Goa. Those academies aren’t futsal and are not accepted by AFC and FIFA as they aren’t following FIFA rules. They have their own ideology. That’s not futsal, it’s just a game. Futsal in Goa is just at Youth Futsal Academy wherein they follow AFC rules with AFC coaches,” added the instructor.
The Iranian said that now the State associations should work on providing the required infrastructure for the same.
“We had a good meeting with GFA Chief Churchilll Alemao whose family loves sports. I explained to him how to implement futsal in the country and he promised that he would take the first step and would provide the grounds to make futsal pitches. And this is the best gift. And hopefully with the assist of the federations they will able to do it,” he concluded.
