Exclusive: The target is to reach knockouts stages of the league- ARA FC head coach Nagul Kumar
The Ahmedabad-based side have registered one win and lost two fixtures in the ongoing season so far.
Football is finally here in Gujarat, and the sport won't be leaving the state anytime soon! Ahmedabad Racquet Academy Football Club (ARA FC) became the first team from the area to play in a Senior Divison National League (I-League Second Division).
We caught up with their head coach Nagul Kumar, to talk about his experience working overseas, his tenure as an assistant coach of ISL team Chennaiyin FC, and much more.
Q1. As a coach of Indian and International experience what motivated you to join ARA FC?
A- After quitting Chennaiyin FC, I wanted to spend the time with my family and was abroad for quite a long time. I wanted to take care of my ailing parents. I also have an academy in Pune. I thought of developing it but it takes money, so I thought of taking up coaching once again and ARA FC offered me a job. So, I accepted it.
Q2. You are participating in the I-League Second Division for the first time, how is the experience? What are the realistic targets for the club this season?
A- I've experienced all this with Pune FC, so I know what are the expectations from the management and the regional spectators. For the players it has been a wonderful experience.
The target is to reach knockout stages and I believe we can make it to the knockouts.
Q3. ARA went into the season with a young squad, don't you think it is a high-risk strategy?
A- It was what the management wanted. They wanted to give young players a chance and especially the Gujarati youngsters but if we had more time the team would've been much stronger.
Q4. Do you agree that the inexperience of the squad might haunt them during crucial stages? Also, your team doesn't have any foreigners, why was this decision made?
A- Definitely yes, but we need to give everyone a chance then only they can improve. So yes, it could haunt us. We wanted to give everyone a chance to be ready for the latter stages of the league.
I always believed in giving youngsters a chance and also stating the fact that we didn't have the finances to fund the foreigners.
Q5. In Western India, we have seen football clubs and academies shutting shop. What is your take on this?
A- It's really a sad state. The team owners after spending good amount money do not get results, and after a few seasons the club runs into losses and are forced to shut down.
Q6. You were a part of Chennaiyin in 2014 and 2015 as an assistant coach. The side won the title in the 2015 edition, tell us about your experience?
A- It was a wonderful experience, to instruct legends like Mikel Silvestre, Mendy, Djemba Djemba, Rosario, Elano, without hurting their sentiments. Honestly, it was a surreal experience.
Q7. In ISL, there is a trend that champions always struggle in subsequent seasons. What do you think about this?
A- The pressure of expectations always hurts a team. If you don't get a win in the first couple of games, its very hard to bounce back.
Q8. How did your stint in Tanzania happen? Was it difficult to move abroad?
A- During my stint as an assistant at Pune FC, head coach Stewart Hall got an offer from Tanzania and offered me a position of his assistant. I happily accepted it.
I wanted to start a trend for Indian coaches to work abroad. When everyone said I can't do well, I challenged myself and proved it because I like to challenge myself.
Q9. You've worked in India as well as in Tanzania. What is the difference in football between both countries?
A- For them, football is their bread and butter whereas in India we consider sports as a hobby. The level of education there is poor when compared to India, so sports is the only way of life for them.
Q10. Which youngsters from ARA, should we watch out for?
A- The squad is filled with immensely talented players. But since you asked for a few names, I'll say Prateik Swamy, Amey Bhatkal and Vinay Singh."
Q11. How important is the structure of coach education for the development of Indian football?
A- The curriculum of coaching in India is very small and apart from it there's no single philosophy. When Bob Houghton came, he brought in his own English Philosophy, then Wim Koevermans brought the Dutch Philosophy, and Constantine did the same. I think all the Indian coaches should get together and bring their own philosophy.
Lonestar Kashmir's second division home game against ARA FC postponed due to security reasons
The security forces arrested many separatists in Srinagar on Friday.
With tensions heightening in Srinagar, the I-League committee has decided to postpone its second division match between Lonestar Kashmir and ARA FC, which was due to take place today – 24th February 2019.
According to a Khel Now source, "the match has been postponed and not cancelled due to security issues in Srinagar. There is also a bandh in the area." The postponement comes ahead of an important hearing of Article 35-A in Supreme Court, which is expected to take place on Monday (25th February).
Reportedly, the ARA players were ready for the fixture, which was supposed to take place at 2 PM. En route to the match venue, they were told by the security that the match has been postponed. The news was given to them at around 11:15 AM. Now they are safe in the hotel, and have a flight scheduled for tomorrow.
This comes after separatists were arrested on Friday, in a mass crackdown by security forces. With regard to this incident, earlier even Minerva Punjab didn't travel to Srinagar to play against Real Kashmir in the I-League, which caused much controversy.
One of our sources from Lonestar Kashmir said, "we are all ready to play the match, but the SHO cancelled it at the last minute due to security reasons." The date for the postponed match will be announced soon. Also, AIFF or I-League committee hasn't officially announced the postponement yet.
Comments
Exclusive: The target is to reach knockouts stages of the league- ARA FC head coach Nagul Kumar
The Ahmedabad-based side have registered one win and lost two fixtures in the ongoing season so far.
Football is finally here in Gujarat, and the sport won't be leaving the state anytime soon! Ahmedabad Racquet Academy Football Club (ARA FC) became the first team from the area to play in a Senior Divison National League (I-League Second Division).
We caught up with their head coach Nagul Kumar, to talk about his experience working overseas, his tenure as an assistant coach of ISL team Chennaiyin FC, and much more.
Q1. As a coach of Indian and International experience what motivated you to join ARA FC?
A- After quitting Chennaiyin FC, I wanted to spend the time with my family and was abroad for quite a long time. I wanted to take care of my ailing parents. I also have an academy in Pune. I thought of developing it but it takes money, so I thought of taking up coaching once again and ARA FC offered me a job. So, I accepted it.
Q2. You are participating in the I-League Second Division for the first time, how is the experience? What are the realistic targets for the club this season?
A- I've experienced all this with Pune FC, so I know what are the expectations from the management and the regional spectators. For the players it has been a wonderful experience.
The target is to reach knockout stages and I believe we can make it to the knockouts.
Q3. ARA went into the season with a young squad, don't you think it is a high-risk strategy?
A- It was what the management wanted. They wanted to give young players a chance and especially the Gujarati youngsters but if we had more time the team would've been much stronger.
Q4. Do you agree that the inexperience of the squad might haunt them during crucial stages? Also, your team doesn't have any foreigners, why was this decision made?
A- Definitely yes, but we need to give everyone a chance then only they can improve. So yes, it could haunt us. We wanted to give everyone a chance to be ready for the latter stages of the league.
I always believed in giving youngsters a chance and also stating the fact that we didn't have the finances to fund the foreigners.
Q5. In Western India, we have seen football clubs and academies shutting shop. What is your take on this?
A- It's really a sad state. The team owners after spending good amount money do not get results, and after a few seasons the club runs into losses and are forced to shut down.
Q6. You were a part of Chennaiyin in 2014 and 2015 as an assistant coach. The side won the title in the 2015 edition, tell us about your experience?
A- It was a wonderful experience, to instruct legends like Mikel Silvestre, Mendy, Djemba Djemba, Rosario, Elano, without hurting their sentiments. Honestly, it was a surreal experience.
Q7. In ISL, there is a trend that champions always struggle in subsequent seasons. What do you think about this?
A- The pressure of expectations always hurts a team. If you don't get a win in the first couple of games, its very hard to bounce back.
Q8. How did your stint in Tanzania happen? Was it difficult to move abroad?
A- During my stint as an assistant at Pune FC, head coach Stewart Hall got an offer from Tanzania and offered me a position of his assistant. I happily accepted it.
I wanted to start a trend for Indian coaches to work abroad. When everyone said I can't do well, I challenged myself and proved it because I like to challenge myself.
Q9. You've worked in India as well as in Tanzania. What is the difference in football between both countries?
A- For them, football is their bread and butter whereas in India we consider sports as a hobby. The level of education there is poor when compared to India, so sports is the only way of life for them.
Q10. Which youngsters from ARA, should we watch out for?
A- The squad is filled with immensely talented players. But since you asked for a few names, I'll say Prateik Swamy, Amey Bhatkal and Vinay Singh."
Q11. How important is the structure of coach education for the development of Indian football?
A- The curriculum of coaching in India is very small and apart from it there's no single philosophy. When Bob Houghton came, he brought in his own English Philosophy, then Wim Koevermans brought the Dutch Philosophy, and Constantine did the same. I think all the Indian coaches should get together and bring their own philosophy.
Fateh Hyderabad AFC 2-1 Chennaiyin FC (R)
Lonestar Kashmir's second division home game against ARA FC postponed due to security reasons
The security forces arrested many separatists in Srinagar on Friday.
With tensions heightening in Srinagar, the I-League committee has decided to postpone its second division match between Lonestar Kashmir and ARA FC, which was due to take place today – 24th February 2019.
According to a Khel Now source, "the match has been postponed and not cancelled due to security issues in Srinagar. There is also a bandh in the area." The postponement comes ahead of an important hearing of Article 35-A in Supreme Court, which is expected to take place on Monday (25th February).
Reportedly, the ARA players were ready for the fixture, which was supposed to take place at 2 PM. En route to the match venue, they were told by the security that the match has been postponed. The news was given to them at around 11:15 AM. Now they are safe in the hotel, and have a flight scheduled for tomorrow.
This comes after separatists were arrested on Friday, in a mass crackdown by security forces. With regard to this incident, earlier even Minerva Punjab didn't travel to Srinagar to play against Real Kashmir in the I-League, which caused much controversy.
One of our sources from Lonestar Kashmir said, "we are all ready to play the match, but the SHO cancelled it at the last minute due to security reasons." The date for the postponed match will be announced soon. Also, AIFF or I-League committee hasn't officially announced the postponement yet.