Int'l academy comes as ray of hope for Mumbai football

With Mumbai failing to produce notable international level football talent in recent times  and its only professional I-League club, Mumbai FC mulling closure, the city’s footballers received a shot in the arm with FCV International Academy deciding to kick-off their new venture f or the city’s budding footballers. They are in partnership with SRS Sports based in Santa Cruz.

Englishman Tony Walmsley, former A-League coach with AFC Pro Diploma will be the head coach with a programme of 12 months. The academy will focus on the development of players between 12-21 years.

Arriving in Mumbai with the monsoon in full bloom, Walmsley believes that football in Mumbai is rising currently and the best talent can only come out if there is a strong plan. “The structure here in Mumbai lacks something, maybe that’s why it hasn’t produced many top class footballers. I was there in Australia and China when football was growing there. I can surely say that India is on the right track,” says Walmsley who was coaching Central Coast Mariner, the Australian first division club.

“The first thing to do is to create a platform for the players. What we need to do is identify the talent in Mumbai and bring it out. If the city has a wide pool of talent, we will find a way to utilise it. We will continue to identify them and nuture them,” he adds.

Steven Dias, who played for Mumbai FC last season, is one name from Mumbai who has managed to carve a steady career at the international stage. Ashutosh Mehta and Jayesh Rane are household names in Mumbai football but have not been able to break into the Stephen Constantine coached senior national team. Nerul lad, Nikhil Poojary made his international debut last month at the Andheri Sports Complex, which should inspire the city’s youngsters.

The FCV Academy is keen on taking Mumbai footballers to the international stage but they demand time. “We had a 10-year plan in the UK from which many  kids benefited. These things take time. We will try to tap the best talent and give them greater chances. Individuals who will be performing well may get a chance to go to the UK as well. Both of our organisers (FCV and SRS) have devoted their time to coaching so the result will not disappoint,” says the Englishman.

“The city might have many leagues but it should focus on getting better coaches on board. The coaches also need to be trained and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that,” he addss, emphasising the crucial role coaches play to develop players.

 England’s prestigious Manchester United club had launched a similar academy which shut down a few years ago. Spain’s FC Barcelona has also launched their academy in Mumbai, but there has been no major change in the quality of players. To this, SRS Sports Director Amit Desai, said, “These clubs have created a buzz using the name of the clubs. We have appointed Tony for a time period of 12 months. Over there, coaches come for 2-3 months and leave. This is a long-term plan and you will see the results.”

MDFA President, Aditya Thackeray, will launch the academy on September 28. For now, the academy will operate in Mumbai and will expand over the years. Beginning from a base in Santa Cruz, the coaching programme will operate six days a week, catering to the needs of both Development and Performance squads. Once established, advanced camps will be held across the region.

Walmsley will be joined for the four-day Big Kick-Of by experienced UEFA A licence holder and current Crystal Palace scout, Ian Sampson, who is FCV’s international development coach, plus SRS head coach Firmin D’Souza and assistant coach, Sudheesh Muttath.