Ranjan Choudhury has been with the Tata Football Academy since it's inauguration in 1987. He has trained numerous youngsters who later went on to represent India at the international level.
Bibhash Dash talked to Ranjan Choudhury in Jamshedpur for IndianFootball.Com about TFA, it's immediate future and Indian football as a whole.

Congratulations on qualifying from the 2.Division NFL for the Premier Division!

Thank you. Yes! All of us here are quite happy at the result.

What are your plans for the National League in terms of training?

Actually the management is still deciding whether to play in the National League. The issue is that once we start competing as a club, then development of young players takes a backseat. We are an institute and want to remain so. We want to continue to produce players for India.

But playing in the National League should act as an incentive for younger players?

Well that's true. But we've seen that whenever we make an announcement for a camp, then we get an overwhelming level of participation, so I don't think not playing in the National League will affect participation.

As a coach, do you think the TFA players should work more on Fitness or Tactics?

Right now we are training the players to improve their build, and their height. But apart from that, they are working extensively on tactics. For example we believe in a compact defence so as to not allow the offence even an inch of space. Likewise we are working on similar aspects of our game to improve the quality of players.

So where is the TFA team currently?

Well the team is on a tour of English club Southampton FC where the players are undergoing a camp. Then they are going to play a tournament, i.e. the Welsh Cup.

Apart from the main crop of TFA players, what other programs is the academy working on for grass root development?

We recently finished a football camp for boys from Orissa. Then we'll be organizing some more camps for local boys. These are the perfect opportunities for us to pick out those who are talented and potential stars.

So where do you see Indian Football going? Any chance of India in World Cup 2010?

I don't think so. Of course, I will be very happy if we do qualify, but it isn't a realistic aim. The problem is that in football administration we have people who have never played the game. There is no way that we will develop to the required level if this continues. Secondly, we need to have a plan which enables us to develop our national team from the very roots. For this we will have to break off from International football for at least five years. During this time we can develop our boys, and only then can we compete with hopes of qualification. This plan is similar to what China did in 1962, hence they brought out a strong national team.

Lastly, what would you advise young Indian footballers?

Firstly, our youngsters' parents need to understand that football or as for that matter sport in our country is a very feasible career option. The problem is that, most middle-class families bring education to the fore even before a child can realize his potential as a sportsmen. And secondly, the youngsters that I've worked with are always very enthusiastic and ready to do what the coach tells them. This is the kind of spirit that Indian football currently needs. Hopefully if we develop our boys well enough, we can improve our chances of World Cup qualification.

Thanks a lot for talking to us!