When the ultimate goal kicks in

You are very practical to make a career in what you are passionate about. Your mind is firm on following your heart. Your choice to be a professional footballer in this cricket- crazy nation is laudable. 

You can join either the District Football Association or directly enter Tamil Nadu Football Association. This is the road map to All India Football Federation. TNFA conducts coaching regularly. You could easily be picked up for U-16, U-18 or I league. There are also many local clubs that train fresh talent. 

There are also clubs like FCBESCOLA (an initiative by FC Barcelona); Paris Saint-Germain Academy of India offers world class training programme and the Indian Football School aimed at training grass-roots football. The other popular football academies are Premier Indian Football Academy (PIFA), Tata Football Federation (TFA), All India Football Federation (AIFF), Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), Indian Tigers Football Academy (ITFA) established by Chelsea Players and others. Keep abreast and stay connected to the clubs. 

Joining an academy would do you good. They prepare you with skills and exposure needed to be an excellent footballer. Academy training starts as early as at the age of 5. The training includes improving technical skills and stamina, playing matches regularly, discussing tactics, analszing strengths and weaknesses through videos of games and getting lessons on fitness, mental ability and nutrition.

Indian Super League (ISL) is a great opportunity for all the football lovers in various departments. Thanks to ISL for carving a road map for the growth of football in India. The ISL teams have 25 players each. There is no age limit. 

You have to rise to a professional footballer level, to be eligible for auction and draft for ISL. Only top class players are picked. ISL teams organise regular trials. It is not going to be a walk-in. You have to have experience at club level. Every team has its network. They look for players playing at State level, First Division and tournaments like Santosh Trophy and Durand Cup. ISL teams also pick up young ones for trials. It’s a gateway. So, stay in touch with their networks. If you are looking to play directly, you should have experience of I league.

There are no formal studies in India. There are 25 undergraduate courses in Football in Europe and scores of Institutes that offer Bachelors and Masters Programme in football, which include a Major like Football Industries MBA (FIMBA), Honours in Football Coaching and Management. Sports Management courses are available in India, but none that are directly linked to football. 

If you ever think it is hard to make it big and yet stay on with your favourite game, consider football-related jobs like Football Manager. In India, you have to clear AIFF-D Licence exam. You have to familiarise yourself with various level licences provided through different bodies. Read about Arrigo Sacchi, a former Italian shoe salesman who left the ground as a legend. Like him, you could be the one to write Calcio’s new tactics.

India is already in the football world map, preparing to host the first ever 2017 FIFA U-19 World Cup. Go ahead. Kick-start your game to be a new age footballer.