Medeira: We need more qualified local coaches

Former India international Savio Medeira, who has taken over as the Technical Director of All India Football Federation from Australian Scott O’Donell, said his priority will be to improve the standard of coaching in the country.

A file picture of Savio Medeira (right in pic) who has taken over as the AIFF's Technical Director seen with his predecessor Scott O'Donell.

Former India international Savio Medeira, who has taken over as the Technical Director of All India Football Federation from Australian Scott O’Donell, said his priority will be to improve the standard of coaching in the country.

“I am very happy that the AIFF has entrusted me with this tough job and I will try to continue and build on the process put forth by Scott and Rob Bann before him,” Medeira said when Sportstar contacted him.

“My main area of focus will be on the coaches education. We need more qualified local coaches to make a difference and ensure quality education for youngsters at the grassroots level. The work for this has started only over the last two or three years and we have a lot more to do,” Medeira said.

“Right now, India has five qualified C-licence instructors. My immediate goal is to ensure that we also have at least three B-licence instructors and then we can also look at having a few A-licence instructors. We can then increase the number of coaching courses and that will ensure a steady inflow of licensed, quality coaches across the country.”

READ: >Medeira to take over as AIFF Technical Director

Confident of garnering the support of the Asian Football Confederation in this endeavour, Medeira said: “Wim Koevermans (former India coach) has taken over as the AFC’s assistant Technical Director and he understands the football culture of India. We will continue getting all the help from them and I will try to organise more camps here, conducted by foreign trainers. A lot of Indian coaches are reluctant to travel abroad for further education and they will be more comfortable if the seminars and camps are conducted in the country.”

Medeira currently is also in charge of the Indian under-17 team alongside India’s head of youth development Richard Hood and goalkeeping coach Luis Mario Aguiar following the departure of German Nicolai Adam. “The boys are back in training and we will continue to guide the team till the AIFF finds a suitable replacement. The federation has already advertised for the post and a few candidates will be interviewed very soon and we will have a permanent coach,” Medeira said.

The AIFF, however, hasn't confirmed whether Medeira's appointment is permanent or interim in nature.