Mark Seagraves, a former Liverpool and Manchester City player, says the Indian Super League will not skyrocket the country's football dreams as India still lacks a proper coaching infrastructure to develop football at grassroots level.
On a cold and windy evening in Delhi, Mark settled around the dining table at his home in a posh city locality. Taking his first sip of coffee, Mark quipped, "Why do Indian parents always introduce their child on the basis of how much grades he or she has achieved in school? Why there isn't a single parent wanting their child to take up sports as a profession?"
And before anybody could reply, he came up with the answer himself. "A professional footballer doesn't happen overnight; however, it will happen with the right approach and determination from the children and a constructive coaching environment."
A plain speaking former professional footballer and coach from England, Mark aims to bring a long-awaited professional coaching programme to the grassroots of Indian football. Having played at the highest level for the Reds and the blue half of Manchester, among other big clubs, Mark brings with him more than 30 years of experience in professional football. Also a UEFA A licensed coach, he has coached clubs such as Derby County, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool in the English Premier League.
Focusing on life beyond football, Mark has set up Football Faktory - a school designed to develop the personal and technical skills of youngsters interested in the game. "We train our kids to realise and reach their full potential in sport. We have an experienced team that takes a professional approach towards development of the child right from technical skills to instilling leadership qualities, which would eventually help in overall development of the child," he said.
India, considered as a sleeping football giant by many, has finally started to take baby steps towards reigniting the fire. With a successful inaugural season of the Indian Super League and with the Under 17 FIFA World Cup coming to India in 2017, the nation looks ready to embrace the change. But is it enough? India is currently languishing at No. 171 in the FIFA rankings, and hasn't been able to make a mark in the international arena.
"It's about time that the world stopped and took notice of India as a footballing nation. As I have read in the media, I am happy that the Indian Super League was a huge success in its first season," said Mark.
"But a two-month of football extravaganza is not enough to change the fate of Indian football. The country needs a proper basic infrastructure at the grassroots level. It has to develop players who will have the necessary technical skills and mental strength to have a real opportunity at playing top-level football within India and beyond," he added.
So, how does he think will the scenario change? "There can be no shortcuts to development and patience is required by both sides -parents and coaches. Back in England, kids become independent at a very young age and are free to take up anything they would want to do in their career. But here, it's different. Kids in India have a lot of burden on them in terms of studies and scoring high grades in schools," said Mark, who is also a football pundit for a leading sports channel.
"While I know that there's a vast difference of culture in both the countries, Indian parents and the educational authorities should also understand that sports plays a big role in shaping a kid's life. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and sports help kids to learn life skills, discipline and commitment.
"And I also know that it's not going to happen overnight but at least we can try and take some strides towards our goal," he signed off in hope.
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