The second phase of the FIFA Live Your Goals campaign kicked-off in New Delhi on September 25, 2015 with an aim to expand the horizon of Women’s Football in India through developing the Grassroots. And in the process, 32 Women Coaches and over 100 girls indulged in various footballing activities over the course of the campaign.

In an exclusive interview with AIFF Media, AIFF’s Technical Director, Scott O’Donell spoke at length about the FIFA Live Your Goals campaign, Grassroots Football, development of Women’s Football and a lot more.

INTERVIEW

What does the FIFA Live Your Goals campaign aim at?
The ‘Live Your Goals’ campaign was developed as part of FIFA’s long term commitment in supporting Women’s Football across the world and to encourage more young Women and girls to play football. Therefore we want to bring the same to India and foster interest amongst the young Women populace of the nation.

How does it propel the growth of Women’s Football in India?
If we (AIFF) can get more young girls playing football on a regular basis, it will give us a bigger base of players to choose from when it comes to selecting future State and National Teams. At this age it is about the girls having fun playing football. They just want an opportunity to play football in a safe and secure environment.

What has been your outlook of the campaign so far?
I have been impressed not just with the commitment of the participants but the immense interest shown by the young girls and their parents. We had over 200 girls in the Mumbai ‘Live Your Goals’ Festival and we had over 100 in Delhi. Furthermore, the Grassroots Leaders which we have trained need to start implementing the Grassroots programmes in their communities.

What next for Women’s Football in India?
We have to strive to continue to increase the base of girls playing football. Likewise, we have to provide opportunities for female coaches. AIFF now keeps as part of our Coach Education policy, a guaranteed four places for females in each of our AFC Coaching Courses. It is imperative to develop coaches and players in harmony with each other. Good coaches develop good players. It is as simple as that.

How does the campaign help in harnessing the Grassroots?
The success of the Grassroots programmes depends upon the awareness and interest in football. In India everyone loves watching football on TV. We have to harness that love of football – from watching to participation and the best way to do that is by getting them to play football for fun and enjoyment. Then after twelve years of age they can decide for themselves if they want to try and pursue a career in football or do they want to continue playing football socially as an amateur.
One needs to remember that 99.8% of all football players in the world (men and women) are amateurs.

Your thoughts on the Women Coaches of the country?
We need to provide more opportunities for female coaches in India. I would love some day to see a female Indian coach follow in the footsteps of French coach Corinne Diacre, who was the first Woman to coach a professional Men’s Team in a competitive match.
But before that, I want to see an Indian female coach of the Indian Women’s National Team. We have some young, talented coaches coming through but they need the experience and exposure at Club/State level before they can progress to coach the National Team.

(Interview & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)