Need to have more pro-license coaches: Koevermans

Chief coach of the Indian football team Wim Koevermans insisted that the pro-license course will make a difference in the long run and will help develop an ‘Indian style of play.’ The Dutchman,along with All India Football Federation’s technical director Rob Baan,is conducting the pro-license course for the coaches at the Cooperage football ground.

Koevermans said it was imperative to get more Indians to get involved in the programme after the AIFF set a criteria which forces all clubs to have pro-license coaches from the 2017 onwards. “It was necessary to being pro-license course to India. In 2017,I-League clubs can only be coached by coaches who have a pro-license. So we need to start giving Indian coaches the opportunities to become a pro-license coach. It’s important to being the quality to a higher standard in India because coaches can make the difference,” Koevermans said on the sidelines of the event.

Almost all top Indian coaches as well as foreign coaches like Dempo’s Arthur Papas and Mohun Bagan’s Karim Bencherifa are attending the course. “There are not many pro-license coaches in India – I think there are four or five – and that’s way too less. So we need to change that. Coaches wanted a pro-license,but the problem was it was never organised.So I was happy to come in,” Koevermans said. He added that having more coaches who can instill an ‘Indian style of play’ will be produced only through such courses. “It’s all about coaches. I installed a certain kind a style in the Indian players and we have seen that they can do it. India can play the combination football that other top countries play. We don’t have tall strikers like other countries,we have all tiny players who’re quick. So for them,possession football is the way forward. It suites the Indian players,” he said.