IndianFootball.Com Interview: ARUP DAS

As IndianFootball.Com continues its journey across our great country, getting a pulse check on the various youth focused football related projects, we caught up with Arup Das, of the India Youth Soccer Association (IYSA). IYSA is very different from all the other football school we have reported on so far.
The difference lies in the objectives of IYSA. IYSA is not dedicated to forming a club, producing great playersm etc. Its goal is to create a fun filled environment as children play football. And that is what India needs even before it aims for glory on the football field. India and Indians must play for joy before they entertain serious aspirations of sporting success.

Please tell us about yourself, your love for football and how did you get involved with the IYSA?

I grew up in the Himalayas where initially cross country running was an obsession but I developed a passion for football and an affection for Manchester United from listening to the BBC World Service sports specials on Saturday evenings. Later, I played inter-university alongside Afghan and Iraqi players in Delhi but injuries, work pressure and a lack of football opportunities in Delhi meant that one could only watch it on TV rather than be involved.

How did IYSA come about and how long has it been in existence? What are its goals?

After a number of years in Advertising I came across an opportunity to work with children and football and I took it up. That's how IYSA came about. Its goals are to promote and develop youth football and increase the number of children playing the game.

Was their any specific reason to deciding on Delhi as the venue for IYSA?

I was based here and football was becoming popular so it seemed like the perfect place. However a culture for sports is lacking with people in Delhi who like the idea of playing football rather than actually playing football. There is a lack of knowledge about the game and this is because there are no big clubs in the area, which people can follow. If you don't see the game and its stars its hard to feel for it. It's very important to develop professional clubs in our cities so that children can aspire to play football.

How is the IYSA funded and who owns it?

IYSA is a registered charitable trust. We currently have sponsors for our league, which funds the cost of administration.

What is the annual expense of the IYSA and how are the expenses met? Is there formal coaching as part of the IYSA league for the children too. Have any of the IYSA children made it to any of the Indian clubs yet?

Funds generated from the league support the administration and also some of our other projects like "Football for Good" for underprivileged kids. Our main objective is to promote the game rather than develop players.
Most children who started with us will be turning 15-16 so they are still too young to play for professional clubs. Having said that many will choose not to play football here because of an unstable and short career. A career in sports is a huge risk in this country. We need to change it.

How many children does IYSA coach/train and play in IYSA organized games. How long does the season run? Is there a specific age group of children that the IYSA focuses on?

Over the last 6 seasons around 2000 children from schools and non profit organizations have played in our programs. They are mainly from the age group of 6-14.

Year - Children
2001 - 74
2002 - 385
2003 - 598
2004 - 968
2005 - 569
2006 - 500+

How many locations does the IYSA run from today? Does the academy own the facilities or is it renting them?

We currently run season long programs from two locations for 500 kids. In the last six seasons we have used 10 different venues. Its like having to shift a school full of kids every year. We are still very lucky because some football teams don't even have a place to train.

Are there any plans on expanding the IYSA outside of Delhi or raising the number of kids involved in the IYSA?

We would like to do both but there are realities in India, which we have to face. A lack of space, infrastructure and qualified people is a big hindrance.

Does the IYSA have any tie-ups with coaches or institutions from overseas to develop both the coaches that train and the trainees. How do you ensure that the coaches remain at the cutting edge of coaching and training?

IYSA is not an Academy but a development organization. We concentrate more on promoting the game. We have had a few volunteer coaches from the UK, US and Germany work with us over this period. Our programs are similar to those found across the world and we follow FIFA recommendation for youth soccer development with Mini teams, small size pitches, balls and goals for kids to develop and have fun.

What do you think of the Delhi school league launched as part of Vision India?

Its good to have more football being played in Delhi. However I don't think that schools are really interested in sports. Schools participate in tournaments to promote the name of their school rather than the children of the school. So there are schools with 2000 children in them but only 16 children get a chance to play football in school teams. Inter school football has never produced international players and most likely never will. It looks like the same old thing in a new package. Needs some fresh thinking.
IYSA has promoted football for street children who come from different NGO's that run in the city. These kids have a lot more hunger and desire to play the game. But they lack in nourishment. An average child from the street is at least 3 inches shorter than a well-fed school going boy of the same age. And as we know having the right diet plays a huge part becoming a successful sportsman.

What are top five things (or more) that will make a dramatic impact in quality of football in India.

1) A plan/vision and its execution/implementation.
2) Bring in business and professionals. Make it easy and exciting for corporate investment and ensure returns on their investment.
3) Dedicated Infrastructure, more trained coaches and managers.
4) Teamwork between football organisations. Reduce political and Govt. dependence.
5) International systems and people. Modern thinking.

Has an Indian football club or a company been a major supporter of your work?

We have had some support in terms of sponsorship from a couple of companies. Sufficient enough to run programs but not enough to expand or have full time infrastructure. A few schools have been supportive giving their grounds.

What do you think about IndianFootball.Com and its work?

I think its essential to have information about Indian football on the web. It needs to be a catalyst for people and organisations wanting to support, invest and develop football in India.

Many, many thanks for all your work for the betterment of Indian football over the years and for the time taken for this interview.

the interview was conducted by Harmit Singh Kamboe (December, 2006)

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