New Delhi [India], September 14 (ANI): Former Arsenal head coach and probably the most profitable managers within the historical past of Premier League Arsene Wenger on Thursday confirmed his go to to India within the month of October.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran’s assembly with legendary coach and FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger, in Australia final month to finalise the setting-up of a central academy in India was the start of what’s set to be a major affiliation between FIFA and the AIFF.
Wenger, who is anticipated to go to India in October, opened up on the inspiration for working with the AIFF on such a expertise growth challenge. “I would say that football is the most popular sport in the world and it looks logical that one of the biggest countries in the world has access to football development. I’d say that India is a sporting country, and I’m hopeful that we can bring great joy to children in India and have fun by playing football. I’m confident because I believe that success is linked to education. We want to give the opportunity to educate young people to watch football in India,”he stated as quoted from the AIFF.
According to Wenger, there is a easy two-step strategy of creating academies in India, “Overall, it’s based on two things. First, it’s identifying talent. And then the quality of the educational programme and the coaching is absolutely vital. The AIFF has to take charge of the education with us and we need good cooperation. We will need to work together with the AIFF to identify the talent first. And after that we have to group the best with the best. Under that, you have the grassroots game for the whole country. The starting point is to identify the talent and put the best with the best together.”For a rustic with 1.4 billion individuals, the huge expertise pool is the largest benefit by way of figuring out expertise. But wanting on the different aspect of the coin, it additionally presents an organisational problem.
“The number is an advantage, but the organisation’s task gets tougher. 1.4 billion people, I’d say it’s a gold mine, but a gold mine, which, at the moment, we have not analysed or identified well. That’s why we need people inside the country who know where the talent is. This is why the cooperation between FIFA and the AIFF will be absolutely vital, with a strong desire. As per our conversation, the AIFF is highly focused and motivated to help us do that. I think we will do a great job together,” Wenger stated.
“I met the President and the Secretary General in Australia at the Women’s World Cup, and I must say I was impressed by their motivation and their capacity to organise what we want to do. I came out of the meeting very optimistic about our cooperation. We will start the work really soon,” added the Frenchman.
“I’m happy to go and see how the work is taking place, and I’ve planned to go to India at the end of October, or somewhere around that,” he shared.
It’s no secret to the world that cricket is the preferred sport in India, and Wenger, having spent greater than 20 years in England, is not any stranger to the game. For India to actually develop into a sporting nation, there needs to be room for different sports activities to develop as properly.
“I don’t see why India would not be on the world map with the number of players. It’s a sporting country. At the moment, cricket is their number one sport. I have nothing against cricket. I was in England for a long time and I know how important cricket is to England. But there is room for other sports. Not all the kids can only play cricket. We want to give them that opportunity. Football is a fantastic sport where there is no discrimination based on weight or size. If you have good technique, you play,” stated former Arsenal head coach.
Not many know that Wenger coached in Asia earlier than his monumental stint at Arsenal, main Japanese aspect Nagoya Grampus Eight between 1995 and 1996. The 73-year-old believes India ought to undertake Japan’s methodology of creating grassroots and schooling a precedence ought to they need to climb the rankings and develop into one among Asia’s main footballing powers once more.
“I arrived in Japan in 1995. They started the professional league in 1993. But they understood very early that you need to create academies and education for young players, and did that programme very well. Look at them now, the boys as well as the girls. Japan are among the top of the world rankings. They are a good example to follow. They understood very quickly that education was the key,” defined Wenger.
While his embellished teaching profession is perhaps over, Wenger’s ardour for the game and many years of experience fuels his dedication to maintain creating the sport in a distinct capability, now within the form of such expertise growth initiatives.
“I was, for a long time, in the results business. Or however you want to call that. Of course, the intensity of that life was fantastic and very, very demanding. But I’m here on a long-term project, and I would say that with what I’ve learnt, is how we can guide people. This will be more long-term and a deeper satisfaction. That’s why I’m in the part of my life where I can help people, and the legacy I can leave in football is absolutely fantastic. I’mgrateful that FIFA gave me this opportunity. And together, I’m sure we can leave a great legacy and change football in the world. Even change the world by helping everybody to develop. It’s a fantastic project,” he stated.
For a rustic like India, which is thought to provide nice minds, nice leaders and CEOs, and extremely revolutionary individuals within the space of IT and computer systems, creating that experience within the sport of soccer is under no circumstances troublesome, in response to Wenger.
“I would say that the Indian people are dedicated, intelligent and ready to invest in education. It all comes down to education. There were many Indians doing very well when I was in England because they were very dedicated and invested a lot of time in education. The difference in football is that you must also educate your feet. In fact, football is doing with your feet what your brain wants. So of course, we have the brain but we want to educate the feet as well. And then we’ll have great players,” concluded Wenger. (ANI)