Panaji, May 16: National team coach Wim Koevermans along with All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials inspected the Goan clubs participating in the I-League, under the guidelines of the Indian club licencing criteria.
It is now mandatory that any club aspiring to participate in the I-League from 2013 onwards must comply with certain criteria as laid down by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the international body (FIFA).
The two-day visit by the AIFF team was to encourage clubs - Dempo Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa, Churchill Brothers and Salgaocar FC - to follow professional guidelines.
Armando Colaco, Dempo's general secretary, presided over the meeting and welcomed the guests. Inspections began with tour of the overall infrastructure, and checking that the players and their training facilities are in order.
The team also perused over junior players' nutrition and training schedule. This was followed by a meeting with the junior team coaches where they were given tips by Koevermans.
After a thorough look at the training facilities at Sangolda yesterday, the inspection team reviewed facilities at the club advising on maintaining records as per FIFA guidelines.
Later, the AIFF officials interacted with their counterparts at Dempo and offered specific suggestions tailored to support the club and help them meet the criteria.
Wim, who visited Sporting Clube de Goa club, was impressed with its infrastructure which included the two training pitches and futsal ground.
The clubhouse facilities was also inspected, which included changing rooms, managers room, canteen, medical room, board meeting room and games area.
The Dutchman spent time speaking to the Flaming Oranje coaches. He was particularly interested in the number of competitive games the junior teams were playing.
Wim also encouraged the club's U-12, U-14, U16, U-18 and U-20 players, who had assembled at the venue. “If every I-League club president had the same vision then it would be great for Indian football. It's easy, you have to have a plan and just do it,” reasoned Wim.
The team today went through Salgaocar FC training centre at BITS Pilani and Churchill Brothers at Varca where they interacted with players U-10, U-12 and U-20 and encouraged them.
The AIFF team will now travel to Kolkata and the North East for their final stage of inspection.
