We are the most qualified state for grass roots: Henry Menezes, CEO, WIFA

The Western India Football Association led the way in Maharashtra on Women’s Day with one of the biggest initiatives for young girls as Women’s Day was celebrated across the state on football fields.
The WIFA have been at the thick of some brilliant grass root initiatives in recent times and have been rightly awarded as the Best Grass Root Program by AIFF last year.
The man who has been at the heart of it, ex-Indian goalkeeper Henry Menezes spoke to us at length on the importance of Women’s Day, the professionalism and seriousness at developing the grass roots portrayed by WIFA and his strong will to continue to toil towards it.
1. You have been celebrating Women’s Week. What is your take on the event?
A: We are celebrating Women’s Week on the eve of the International Women’s Day all over the state in districts like Satara, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Jalgaon etc. Like here in Mumbai, we have had a large number of girls coming out on the field and playing and have been brilliantly backed by their parents.
2. What is the vision behind this initiative?
A: Today everyone is talking about equality and we understand its importance. We want to bridge the gap between men and women in terms of football and it has become really narrow over the years. In fact the women’s team ranks much higher in the world compared to the men. So we want these young girls and their parents to look at football a lot more seriously.
3. Can you tell us about the other grass root programs that WIFA have been conducting?
A: We have appointed a State Grass Root Leader and will be appointing over 300 grass root leaders across the state with three grass root leaders taking care of each district. We have also conducted plenty of youth development programs as well. Apart from this, we also have D License for coaches. Every month we have a D License program and many of them are employed. There has been a very positive change in recent years where a lot of schools are only looking at licensed coaches for coaching their kids. We are very proud to say that we are the most qualified state for grass roots.
4. WIFA was voted as the Best Grass Root Program by the AIFF. How do you feel about this achievement?
A: It is extremely encouraging when your good work is rewarded. We have been working very hard on the grass root programs and we are very happy when our efforts are appreciated like this. We want to continue our good work and keep producing some of the finest players for the country.
5. What is the most important aspect while developing a kid?
A: The parents’ support is very important. So we like to involve them into the grass root programs so that the kids enjoy themselves. At this level it is more important to enjoy and feel secure and the parents’ support and their presence help the kid to a large extent.
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Transfer round-up: Naorem to ATK Mohun Bagan, Givson Singh to Chennaiyin FC
The January transfer window of the Indian football season is nearing its end. The winter transfer window is always an exciting time period in the Indian football season, with this…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
10 men Kenkre hold table toppers RoundGlass Punjab in a 6-goal thriller
RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) were held by ten men Kenkre FC in a six-goal thriller in a Round 15 fixture of the Hero I – League 2022-23 season played here…
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Kerala Blasters signs Bengaluru FC midfielder Danish Farooq
Kerala Blasters FC have completed the signing of midfielder Danish Farooq Bhat from Bengaluru FC, as per reports. The tuskers have reportedly paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Bengaluru FC…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Emotional to be back in the national camp after so long, says Bala Devi
The city of Chennai is currently a true confluence of India’s best talents in women’s football – the National camps for both the Seniors and the Under-20 probables are running…
Number 16 for Mumbai City FC as they beat Jamshedpur FC with a thrilling come back
Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten streak in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) to a record-breaking 16 games after an extraordinary comeback victory over Jamshedpur FC at the JRD…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Didn’t know what a passport was till my first India call-up: Sunita Munda
Hardly anyone was surprised when Sunita Munda was called for the National camp for the AFC U-14 regional championship in 2016. Even before turning 14, Munda had proved to be…
Playoffs snakes and ladders continues as Odisha FC drop out after losing to ATKMB
ATK Mohun Bagan moved back up into third place with a 2-0 victory over Odisha FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…