India Football Federation collaborates with FIFA to develop coaches | OneFootball

The AIFF (All India Football Federation) hosted a four-day excellence workshop in collaboration with the FIFA Women’s Football Development Programme. A total of 25 coaches from the teams in the Indian Women’s League and the second tier also attended the workshop.

The 25 coaches — 19 of which were women — took part in the building workshops, stretched across four days. Simon Toselli, who works in the FIFA Technical Women’s department and Stéphanie Spielmann, a former player and a UEFA A-License holder lead the sessions at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata.

AIFF president Shri Kalyan Chaubey shared his insight with the participants of the workshop, stressing the important of investment into women’s sport and it’s coaches.

“Women’s football is one area, where we have huge potential to progress at the international level. To achieve this target, we need to have a true leadership training programme.”

Shri Chaubey also spoke on the importance of identifying young talent to develop international success in the areas of India where interest in women’s sport is particularly high.

“All of [the coaches] who are participating in this workshop and working diligently to enhance their knowledge, can identify talents and share it with the talent scouts of the AIFF. It will help to create a bigger pool of players.”

What does the future of Indian women’s football look like?

It’s evident India are looking to progress their international stock with this investment. Currently ranked 68th in the world by FIFA, there is clear scope to improve. Their highest historical ranking was 48th and Shri Chaubey is keen to steer away from a further drop.

AIFF Media – National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Kolkata in September, 2024.

“We should be able to identify at least 200 talented women footballers in the age group of 17 to 23 years. We can then train them through the leadership training programme. These players have to be given proper advanced training and be provided with more match time, if we aim for the 2030 Asian Games.”

Increased funding and a growing sense of interest in women’s sport in India has created a direct uptake in participation. Shri Chaubey confirmed that the amount of women’s footballers in India has ‘increased by 138 percent’ year on year.

Reflection, challenges and communication key to success

The workshop focused on several key areas. A mixture of physical practice, tactical theory and one-on-one breakout sessions for the coaches with the two experts. Spielmann, who previously played for FC Vendenheim and spent time managing Tahiti, lead the practical sessions with the coaches.

There was specific focus on the art of communication during practical coaching. Spielmann is a believer in explaining the theory behind the physical action whilst training her players, stressing that it ‘saves you time’.

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