An historic step in the OFC Coach Education Pathway was taken today with the official opening of the first FIFA/OFC/ B- License coaching course phase two at Fiji Football Headquaters in Vatuwaqa
Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf opened the 8-day course on behalf of FFA president Rajesh Patel with an acknowledgement of the contributions made by FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation towards the framework.
“This course has been a long time in the making and many hours have gone into the creation of the curriculum so it is a real coup for us to be holding this event today,” Yusuf shared.
“Today I’m very pleased to see some of the coaches from the Pacific who have been on this pathway to broaden their knowledge in coaching. That they are now here today taking part in the FIFA/OFC B Licence is a reflection of the OFC Coach Education System and how it is benefiting our island nations.”
The part 2 B Licence welcomes 18 coaches from across the region with a varying degree of coaching experience from coaching clubs to coaching national teams.
The course covers a number of concepts including management, team culture, vision, philosophy and match analysis.
The high calibre instructors include FIFA/OFC instructor Giovani Fernandez, FIFA/OFC goalkeeper coach James James Bannantine and Fiji FA Technical Director Ravinesh Kumar.
Vodafone Fiji national coach Christhope Gamel who was also present during the official opening says when he first arrived in Fiji it seemed impossible to imagine Fijian coaches and Pacific Island coaches together in the same room
“To see the hard work that has gone into developing a strong coach education programme come to fruition is a great moment,” Gamel said.
“It will be a long journey and a lot of hard work, but you are all here together because you want to help improve the quality of football in Oceania.
“It is a great moment for all of us – FIFA, OFC and all the island Member Associations as we prepare today for our future.”
“It is the coaches which will really lift the level of football in this region and make an impact not only in the Fiji but across the Pacific.
“I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity, learn as much as you can from these highly experienced instructors and, most of all, and enjoy yourselves.”
Vodafone Fiji national assistant coach Yogendra Dutt, Lautoka’s assistant coach Anginesh Prasad, Tavua coach Saroj Kumar, Labasa coach Roneel Ram and Ba youth coach Sunil Kumar are five Fijian coaches in the seminar with other coaches from around the region
The FIFA/OFC B- License coaching is being held at the Suva from 31 March to 8 April.
-FFA
