AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The two-day Indian Football Coaches Convention (IFCC) 2018 conducted jointly by All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) which was held from July 23-24, 2018 at the DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai saw eminent speakers from across the globe.

Kushal Das, AIFF General Secretary gave the opening address talking about the Federation's contribution towards Coach Education. This was followed by AIFC Director, Dinesh Nair talking about why the AIFC was formed and its vision. Savio Medeira, Head of Coach Education and acting AIFF Technical Director presented The Coaching Convention and Future Plans for refresher courses and CPDs.

The likes of Tom Byer, one of the most decorated and admired grassroots coaches in Asia; John Owens, Ex-Liverpool Academy Manager; Ono Makoto, Director of Japan Football Association Women's development; Dr. Ryland Morgans, Director, SPI & former Head of Performance for Liverpool FC; Scott O'Donell, FIFA & AFC Instructor and Richard Hood, Head of Player Development, AIFF covered the topics revolving around the importance of Coach Education and Grassroots and Youth Development.

Also present for the conference were FIFA Technical Consultant to South Asia Chokey Nima, and Development Officer Prince Rufus.

The convention ended with the first ever AIFC Annual Awards where all the coaches from across leagues were felicitated. Kishore Taid COO AIFF, Chirag Tanna FSDL, General Manager; Aditya Thackeray, MDFA President; Dr. Vijay Patil, Chancellor DY Patil University; Henry Menzes, WIFA CEO; Souter Vaz, Hon. Secretary WIFA were also present on the occasion.

The list of awardees are as follows:

AIFC HALL OF FAME: PK Banerjee.

AIFC COACH OF THE YEAR:

Youth League U-13: Anthony Andrews, Minerva Punjab FC.

Youth League U-15: Harpreet Bedi, Minerva Punjab FC.

Youth League U-18: Bobby Nongbet, Shillong Lajong FC.

League 2: David Robertson, Real Kashmir.

Indian Women's League: Shukla Dutta, Rising Student Club.

Indian Super League: John Gregory, Chennaiyin FC.

I-League: Khogen Singh, Minerva Punjab FC.

AIFC GK COACH OF THE YEAR: I-League: Arpan Dey, Mohun Bagan.

AIFC SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: WIFA, Maharashtra.