New Delhi [India], September 19 (ANI): The four-day FIFA Coach Capacity Building Workshop, hosted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and led by FIFA experts Simon Toselli and Stephanie Spielmann, successfully concluded at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) in Kolkata on Thursday, September 19, 2024. This event marks a significant step in the development of women’s football in India.

As a critical element of the FIFA Women’s League Development initiative, which is part of the larger FIFA Women’s Development Programme, this workshop brought together 25 coaches—19 women and six men—from Indian women’s national teams, IWL, IWL 2 clubs, and various other stakeholders. The attendees represented 12 different states, showcasing the nationwide interest in enhancing women’s football. Simon Toselli, a FIFA Women’s Football Technical Expert, and Stephanie Spielmann, a former player, UEFA A-License coach, and FIFA and OFC instructor, shared their invaluable expertise during the sessions.

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey addressed the participants on the third day, underscoring the immense potential for progress in women’s football at the international level. He emphasized the necessity of a robust leadership training program to achieve this goal. Highlighting the popularity of women’s football in specific regions of India, he urged the coaches to identify emerging talents in these areas and regularly share their findings with AIFF talent scouts. This strategy aims to create a substantial pool of players.

Chaubey set a clear target: identifying at least 200 talented female footballers aged 17 to 23 for advanced training and increased match exposure. This initiative is crucial for preparing for major events like the 2030 Asian Games and the 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. He expressed gratitude to FIFA for sending experts Simon Toselli and Stephanie Spielmann to conduct the workshop, noting a remarkable 138 percent increase in women’s football participation in India. Chaubey remains optimistic that FIFA will continue supporting the development of women’s football in the country.

The workshop featured a comprehensive agenda: theoretical sessions in the mornings, practical field sessions in the afternoons, and dedicated one-on-one breakout sessions for personalized interactions with the experts. Toselli and Spielmann shared their extensive experience in women’s football at FIFA, covering topics such as leadership skills for coaches, styles of play, game models, positional coaching, football fitness, periodization, and the unique characteristics of female football players.

Toselli highlighted the significance of effective communication within a team, stating, “If you are good at communication and explanation, your team will do great.” He emphasized that workshops like this are instrumental in enhancing knowledge and building successful coaching careers. Spielmann stressed the importance of demonstrating techniques during training to save time and avoid confusion. She encouraged coaches to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and make necessary adjustments to overcome challenges.

Overall, this workshop marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of women’s football in India, laying a solid foundation for future growth and success.