Sabyasachi Bagchi, Aizawl: Jahar Das who is the Head of the Youth development at Aizawl FC is an instrumental figure in the Grassroot development of football in Mizoram. Das left Kolkata after being sacked from Mohun Bagan and joined the north-east side two years ago.
He says that coaches doesn’t have permanent job, they rather have shifting jobs. Once when asked by the press he claims to have said “Can anyone give an example of any coach not being sacked in the history of world football? “
Jahar Das says there is a huge difference between the grassroot football academies in Kolkata and in Mizoram. He says that youth system is the best in Germany and the whole world idolizes and follows it. However a major problem of this system was the players formed were ‘’Mechanical”. This flaw was however rectified when Franz Beckenbauer was put in-charge. Beckenbauer found out the natural ability of the young players were hampered by the coaches which shows training at early age should be stopped.
Young players must be allowed to play their own game is the primary principle that Das follows. Training should be limited to players at any stage. This however is the main problem that occurs in Kolkata where the coaches try to train the players at an extreme level remark Das.
Das quotes a Mahatma Gandhi saying which goes like “Young children should be allowed to make mistakes. They should however also be allowed to rectify their mistake”.
Das too applies the same technique in this coaching which is huge step forward for promoting youth in Indian football.
Aizawl FC has the best youth development facilities in all over India. It has 5 youth academies and is also the first Indian team to have a youth academy outside India, i.e. in Myanmar. Aizawl FC however is determined to make a modern football academy in a place called Lungleng, and its work has already been started. This academy will also have a players hostel and a residential academy.
Aizawl FC owner Robert Romawia Royte, a born football lover says that since the formation of the club, he as well as the club has faced many problems and have always been successful in dealing with those. With passionate fans and team playing well he is certain his team will excel in the years to come.
“Aizawl FC has a noble principle, and we have a belief of building the team and not on purchasing the team and that’s why we give huge importance to the youth development programme” says Royte. He also says that he owes a huge thanks to Jahar Das for the latter’s innumerable contribution for the team. He is also certain Aizawl FC is the best team in India for its pursuit for youth development.
The owner further says that, “Recruitment of players in Aizawl FC are done on the basis of merit, talent and on performance, and this is a very vital reason for the team’s success in this season”.