‘It looks like they play football for the sake of it’
Khaled Ahmed, an AFC-C licensed coach who coached the Sylhet Under-17 team to the title of the Bangabandhu U-17 Gold Cup 2021, spoke about the current condition of the grassroots culture and its future with The Daily Star's Ashfaq Ul Mushfiq. The excerpts are below:
The Daily Star (DS): What is the current condition of grassroots football in Bangladesh?
Khaled Ahmed (KA): Not that good to be honest. The idea of grassroots is very new in this country and the amount of work done for the grassroots is very small.
DS: You are the head coach of the Sylhet Under-17 divisional team and also coach in local academies. What is the daily routine at these academies?
KA: There isn't any proper structure in these academies compared to the likes of BKSP. The players come to practice in the field in the afternoon and go back home after training.
DS: What experience and qualifications do the coaches who train these young players have? Why can't they produce players of a similar ilk to those we had during our golden years?
KA: Most coaches don't have any academic coaching licenses. Even if some of these coaches get their licenses done, they still train players with a very casual approach. They barely do any activation work before training, let alone teach the players the basics of the game. I can give many examples like this and I think that is why many players around the country lack basic skills in terms of first touch and passing. It looks like they play football for the sake of it.
DS: What are the obstacles grassroots players face in their development? Why do many fade away?
KA: The main problem is poverty. Most of these players come from very poor families who are unable to provide financial support. This is why many of these players can't continue. A player of the Sylhet U-17 team, I won't name him, came to me saying he won't be able to play football anymore. He went to Dhaka to make a living and support his family. That, coupled with the absence of good coaches, means they are missing the essential components that will make them skilled footballers.
DS: How are you helping such players overcome obstacles? How are these academies funded?
KA: The funding comes out of my pocket. A few cousins of mine who live in the United Kingdom support me from time to time. We need to buy balls, boots, training kits and accessories. I had to fund most of the things we have now. I've gone to many people for funding but returned empty-handed. Mind you, I don't get paid as a district-division coach. And I have to run my family as well.
DS: What's the process of these players making it to higher levels?
KA: Our Anik Deb Borma became the best player of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. Seeing his play, he got called for a trial at Chittagong Abahani by Maruful Islam. Four of my players will play the U-18 B league for Bashundhara Kings and three for Mohammedan. Three more went for a trial at the Bangladesh Air Force senior team. I am confident they will do great.