Interviewing AIFF’s Head Coach ‘Floyd Pinto’ at Go Green for scouting.

by Prasad bhutkar March 10, 2016

Head coach of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) U17/U18 team, Mr Floyd Pinto was at the Don Bosco ground to grace the event. Floyd sir started his coaching career with Kenkre Academy. He was at the Kenkre Academy for six years before being appointed as the coach of the India’s U17/U18 team. Mr Pinto’s recent accomplishments as a coach include winning the Subroto Cup and the u18 I-League. The team also finished runner-up in the IFA Shield. The Kenkre Academy always remains at the heart of Floyd Sir and we managed to get his views on the ‘Go Green’ Cup. Also the FIFA U17 World Cup and a special message for the parents and their kids

Could you describe the essence of the ‘Go Green’ Cup?

This tournament is one of the very first tournaments was started for kids. Being a Kenkre initiative. The main reason why we had started this tournament in the first place is because kids don’t have enough matches to play. A player can improve and develop his potential only if he plays football regularly. Competitive football on a regular basis that is one match a week at least. These kids don’t have tournaments to play apart from the MSSA so that was the reason behind having KCL and the ‘Go Green’ Cup. We had the Friend’s cup as well previously but now it has been settled down as KCL and the Go Green. So these tournaments give the kids a platform to showcase their talent.

Do you have regular interaction with the coaches for scouting purposes?

As far as such tournaments are concerned we are always in touch to check if there are talented players to be pushed to a higher level. So basically, as an academy, we are looking for players whom we could nurture into better players and there is no better place to find those talented lads than tournaments like these. And as you can see the 7-a-side concept helps a lot especially because the player gets more touches on the ball, so there is enough playing time for all the kids.

We have the Fifa U17 World cup next year. Are there any special plans from the AIFF gearing up for the event?

The current U17 World Cup team was in South Africa until last week. They are under the German coach Mr Nicolai. They have been scouting extensively for talented players across different states. Whenever there have been signs of a talented player they have reciprocated it back to Mr Nicolai. Like whenever they have had a chance to get him on trial they have been successful. For example, there was a player called Gaston who was with Kenkre and was pursuing his academics with this very school where this tournament is being held; Don Bosco. While playing through us he travelled with us to Portugal as well as Spain and played a lot of matches with us. He played the ‘Go Green’ a lot of times and was judged as the best player many times, based on these he was offered a trial with the India U17 squad and ever since then he has kept his place in the squad.

What is your message for the parents and kids that will be reading this?

Listen to the coaches and let the kids be themselves. Let them express their true self. Because sometimes parents tend to overdo and over nurture their kids. At this age group kids need to be let free, they should do the playing and let their performances speak on the field. The parents should enjoy the performance and keep encouraging their kids. That is my only message to the parents.

So this was Mr Floyd Pinto sharing with us his thoughts on the ‘Go Green’ Cup. Recent scouting affairs in the AIFF. A few examples of kids who came out shining from the Kenkre Academy and also a special message for all the kids and their parents.