Hajra and other national players to take coaching course
The 23 participants hoping it will improve playing career and help them become coaches
Hajra and the others — several of whom are also Pakistan internationals — are marking a change in the trend, showing that players also want to learn about coaching. PHOTO COURTESY: MUHAMMAD JAVAID
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s women’s team captain Hajra Khan will begin License C coaching course training along with 22 other participants at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) House in Lahore on Monday.
Hajra and the others — several of whom are also Pakistan internationals — are marking a change in the trend, showing that players also want to learn about coaching.
According to the PFF’s Asian Football Federation (AFC) certified instructor Siddique Shaikh, the course will enable the participants to carry out their coaching duties at the grass-roots level.
“It is vital to have more License C coaches in the country,” Siddique told The Express Tribune. “We selected the players and the officials based on their potential. We sent out the list of player to the AFC, they approved the names and now we’ll commence the two-week course.”
Siddique added that this will not only help groom future coaches but will also help the players improve their game. “We wanted to involve players because this will help them understand the game better and also enable them to go out and train junior players.”
The instructor highlighted the dearth of female coaches in the country. “We have 200 License C male coaches but less than 70 female ones,” claimed Shaikh. “I hope this course will motivate the participants to continue their coaching education. They can apply for a Licence B course and then a Licence A one, which is then followed by a pro license from FIFA and AFC.”
Hajra hopes course will improve her as a player
Like Siddique, Hajra believes that taking the coaching course will help her in her own game. She added that she wants to be a coach one day, and will opt for a License B course in two years’ time.
“Players are often interested in coaching,” said Hajra. “Most of us want to be part of the game even after retirement. I’m looking forward to this course because we don’t have many female coaches in the country; there are only two with License B in all of Pakistan.”
‘Initiative beneficial for everyone’
Diya FC founder Sadia Shaikh also praised the initiative as a positive sign for the future.
“We have national players who are also involved in coaching on grass-roots level,” said Sadia. “So this course allows these girls to go out and coach junior players better. It’s beneficial for everyone.”
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Pakistan’s women’s team captain Hajra Khan will begin License C coaching course training along with 22 other participants at the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) House in Lahore on Monday.
Hajra and the others — several of whom are also Pakistan internationals — are marking a change in the trend, showing that players also want to learn about coaching.
According to the PFF’s Asian Football Federation (AFC) certified instructor Siddique Shaikh, the course will enable the participants to carry out their coaching duties at the grass-roots level.
“It is vital to have more License C coaches in the country,” Siddique told The Express Tribune. “We selected the players and the officials based on their potential. We sent out the list of player to the AFC, they approved the names and now we’ll commence the two-week course.”
Siddique added that this will not only help groom future coaches but will also help the players improve their game. “We wanted to involve players because this will help them understand the game better and also enable them to go out and train junior players.”
The instructor highlighted the dearth of female coaches in the country. “We have 200 License C male coaches but less than 70 female ones,” claimed Shaikh. “I hope this course will motivate the participants to continue their coaching education. They can apply for a Licence B course and then a Licence A one, which is then followed by a pro license from FIFA and AFC.”
Hajra hopes course will improve her as a player
Like Siddique, Hajra believes that taking the coaching course will help her in her own game. She added that she wants to be a coach one day, and will opt for a License B course in two years’ time.
“Players are often interested in coaching,” said Hajra. “Most of us want to be part of the game even after retirement. I’m looking forward to this course because we don’t have many female coaches in the country; there are only two with License B in all of Pakistan.”
‘Initiative beneficial for everyone’
Diya FC founder Sadia Shaikh also praised the initiative as a positive sign for the future.
“We have national players who are also involved in coaching on grass-roots level,” said Sadia. “So this course allows these girls to go out and coach junior players better. It’s beneficial for everyone.”
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.